FHE 


HISTORY  OF  WARREN, 

RHODE  ISLAND. 


IN  THE  WAR 


THE  REVOLUTION,   1776-1783. 


•        '     •    ■«— »-    i        «•  4    V     i         I 


SWAIN   SCHOOL 


r\i'  A  I  M     ^. 

N         .      •        .-''-1.1 

THE 


HISTORY  OF  WARREN, 


RHODE  ISLAND, 


IN  THE  WAR 


OF 


THE  REVOLUTION,   1 776-1 783 


BY  VIRGINIA  BAKER. 


PUBLISHED   BY  THE  AUTHOR, 

WARREN,    R.    I. 

I9OI 


-^ 


Entered  according  to  the  Acts  of  Congress  at  the  Office  of  the  Librarian 
of  Congress,  by  Virginia  Baker,  on  the  27th  day  of  March,  One  Thous- 
and, Nine  Hundred  and  One,  CI 90  J,)  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


AUTHOR'S  NOTE. 

The  material  composing  this  sketch  has  been  col- 
lected from  various  sources.  Among  authorities 
consulted  may  be  mentioned  Rhode  Island  Colonial, 
and  Warren  Town  Records,  Arnold's  "History  of 
Rhode  Island,"  Fessenden's  "History  of  Warren," 
the  "Spirit  of  '76,"  "Our  French  Allies,"  the  "Diary 
of  Col.  Israel  Angell,"  files  of  the  "Providence  Ga- 
zette," and  Warren  "Northern  Star,"  manuscript 
notes  of  Gen.  G.  M.  Fessendcn,  and  unpublished  let- 
ters, documents,  etc.,  of  the  Revolutionary  period. 
The  author  desires  to  express  her  gratitude  to  those 
persons  who,  by  the  loan  of  private  papers,  have  as- 
sisted her  in  her  work. 

Warren,  March,  1001. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  WARREJf,  RHODE  ISL- 
A^B,  m  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REVOLU- 
TION, 1776-1783. 
\t  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  War- 
ren, Rhode  Island,  was  one  of  the  most  flourishing 
towns  on  the  New  England  sea-coast.  Though 
within  its  limits  agricultural  pursuits  were  followed 
to  some  extent,  the  inhabitants  were  chiefly  employed 
in  the  various  branches  of  maritime  trade.  The 
building  of  vessels  was  an  important  industry,  and 
the  Warren  ship-yards  were  justly  noted  for  the 
variety  and  excellence  of  the  craft  launched  from 
their  stocks.  Remote,  indeed,  were  the  regions  un- 
penetrated  by  the  hardy  sailors  of  the  little  seaport, 
which  was  engaged  in  coasting,  in  the  West  India 
and  merchant  service,  and  in  the  whale  fishery.  To  a 
community  almost  entirely  dependent  upon  favor- 
able commercial  conditions  for  its  existence  the 
breaking  out  of  war  with  the  mother  country  was  a 
most  alarming  portent,  threatening  serious  disaster 
if  not  ultimate  ruin. 

The  pioneer  settlers  of  Swansea,  Massachusetts, 
of  which  town  Warren  originally  formed  a  part, 
were  a  strong  and  steadfast  race  of  men,  resolute, 
courageous,  and  liberty  loving.  The  characteristics 
so  marked  in  them  descended  to  their  posterity. 
Naturally,  therefore,  at  the  outset,  the  inhabitants 


6  THE   HISTORY    OF   WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND, 

of  Warren  qiiietlv  but  firmly  resisted  tlie  oppressive 
policy  of  George  III,  though  no  people  more  fully 
realized  the  dangers  that  would  beset  them  in  the 
event  of  an  open  rupture  with  England.  The  sen- 
timents of  the  citizens  were  first  openly  voiced  in 
January,  1774,  wlien,  following  the  example  of  New- 
port and  Providence,  Warren  held  a  public  meeting 
to  consider  the  tea  question,  at  which  the  right  of 
Parliament  to  tax  the  American  colonies  was  em- 
phatically denied.  When  a  few  months  later  the 
odious  Port  Bill  closed  Boston  harbor  against  all 
commerce,  Warren  was  among  the  first  localities  in 
Rhode  Island  to  render  material  assistance  to  the 
distressed  towoi.  It  is  a  noteworthy  fact  that 
throughout  the  entire  Revolutionary  period  the  in- 
habitants of  Warren  acted  unanimously  in  defend- 
ing their  rights.  Indeed,  tradition  asserts  that  but 
one  native  of  the  place  was  ever  proved  to  have 
cherished  Tory  principles  and,  so  far  as  can  be  as- 
certained, tradition  in  this  instance  is  correct. 

Although  a  maritime  community  Warren  could 
boast  an  honorable  military  record.  The  opening 
scenes  of  that  terrible  tragedy,  King  Philip's  War, 
had  been  enacted  within  its  limits.  It  had  sent  stal- 
wart sons  to  Louisburg  and  Cro%vii  Point.  So  when 
armed  resistance  to  British  misrule  became  neces- 
sary, the  sturdy  little  seaport  was  not  unprepared  to 
do  its  share  in  the  struggle  for  liberty. 


IN    THE    WAR   OF   THE   REVOLUTION.  7 

The  news  of  the  Battle  of  Lexington  created  in 
Rhode  Island,  as  elsewhere,  the  most  intense  excite- 
ment Throughout  the  colony  active  preparations 
for  military  service  were  begun.  Ammunition  was 
distributed  to  all  the  towns,  Warren's  proportion 
being  24  pounds  of  powder,  38  pounds  of  lead, 
and  152  flints.  The  General  Assembly  voted 
to  raise  an  "Army  of  Observation"  to  consist 
of  1,500  men.  One  regiment  was  enlisted  in 
the  counties  of  Newport  and  Bristol  under  Col. 
Thomas  Church,  William  Turner  Miller  of  Warren 
being  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel.  A  committee 
of  safety  consisting  of  t^x)  members  from  Provi- 
dence and  one  from  each  of  the  other  counties  was 
appointed,  and  the  several  towns  adopted  such  pre- 
cautionary measures  as  they  deemed  advisable.  At 
a  ToAvn  Meeting  held  in  Warren,  June  5,  1775,  it 
was  voted  to  purchase  "six  good  guns"  for  the  toMm. 
Fearing  possible  attack  from  the  British  fleet  under 
Wallace  which  occupied  the  bay  it  was  voted,  'Nov. 
20th,  to  keep  a  watch  in  the  town  and  Daniel  Cole 
and  Samuel  Miller  were  appointed  to  "decide  how 
often  each  man  should  watch."  Captain  Ezra 
Ormsbee  was  selected  to  "have  the  care  of  sd.  watch 
and  to  Notify  the  people  when  they  should  Avatch," 
and  how  many  should  "Stand  upon  the  watch  in  one 
night."  The  penalty  for  refusing  to  Avatch  was  fixed 
at  three  shillings.     Captain  Ormsbee  was  required 


8  THE   HISTORY    OF   WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND, 

"to  Provide  wood  for  the  sd.  watch,"  and  was  em- 
powered to  "furnish  the  watch  house  that  is  built  in 
Bristol  by  the  inhabitants  of  Warren  and  to  build  a 
Gentry  Box."  The  watch  house  stood  upon  one  of 
the  elevations  still  known  as  "Burr's  Hills,"  located 
on  the  east  bank  of  Warren  river  and  now  included 
within  the  limits  of  that  part  of  the  town  termed 
South  Warren.  It  commanded  a  view  of  J^arragan- 
sett  Bay  and  the  shores  of  Bristol  and  Barrington. 
During  the  previous  year  a  "Trained  Band"  *  had 
been  formed  in  Warren,  and  there  was  also  in  the 
town  a  company  of  "Alarm  Men."  Many  members 
of  the  Alarm  company  were  mere  striplings.  Some 
of  the  firearms  that  appeared  at  "trainings"  had 
seen  service  at  Cro^Ti  Point  and  Ticonderoga.  The 
men  utilized  as  flints  the  Indian  arrow-heads  which 
abounded  in  the  vicinity  of  Burr's  Hills  and  along 
the  shores  of  Belcher's  Cove  and  the  Kickemuit 
river.  ■• 

On  January  12,  1776,  about  250  British  troops 
from  Wallace's  fleet  landed  on  Prudence  Island 
where  they  burned  seven  dwellings,  dispersed  a  com- 
pany of  minute  men,  and  seized  a  number  of  sheep. 
On  the  following  day  reinforcements  from  Warren 
and  Bristol  proceeded  in  whaleboats  and  other  craft 

*The  officers  of  the  Trained  Band,  in  1775  were  Amos 
Haile.  Captain;  John  Ormsbee,  Lieutenant;  Smith  Bowen, 
Engign. 


IN    THE    WAR   OF   TlilC    REVOLUTION.  9 

to  the  island  and  an  action  ensued  which  lasted  three 
hours.  The  British  were  driven  off  with  a  loss  of 
fourteen  killed  and  several  wounded,  the  Americans 
losing  only  four  killed  and  one  taken  prisoner.  On 
the  next  night  two  houses  on  Patience  Island  were 
fired  by  the  enemy.  Fearing  that  Bristol  might  be 
attacked  the  troops  were  withdrawn  from  Prudence 
and  stationed  in  that  town.  The  General  Assembly 
appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a  memorial  to  Con- 
gress representing  the  inability  of  Rhode  Island, 
"from  its  situation,  smallness,  and  poverty"  to  defend 
itself,  and  praying  for  assistance.  Sylvester  Child, 
one  of  the  Deputies  from  Warren,  was  a  member  of 
this  committee.  His  colleagues  were  Deputy  Gover- 
nor Bradford,  Henry  Ward,  William  Ellery,  Joseph 
Bro^\^l,  Henry  ]\[archant  and  Gideon  ]\rumford. 

The  seaboard  towns  now  redoubled  their  precau- 
tions. In  To^vn  Meeting,  Feb.  5th,  it  was  voted 
that  the  Touti  Council  of  Warren  should  "make  a 
list  of  all  persons  in  the  town  who  were  not  able  to 
equip  themselves  with  arms  and  accoutrements  ac- 
cording to  law."  The  Council  reported  only  two  in- 
dividuals who  lacked  the  necessary  equipment  and 
the  to\\Ti  supplied  them  with  "two  good  firearms 
with  bayonets  and  cartuch  boxes."  It  was  also  voted 
to  raise  an  Artillery  company  in  the  town,  of  which 
Daniel  Fisk  was  chosen  Captain  and  Benajah  Cole, 
Lieutenant.     On  May  6th,  the  Town  Treasurer  was 


lO        THE   HISTORY   OF   WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND, 

ordered  to  "imploy  Suitable  Persons  to  make  up  the 
powder  and  Balls  into  Carteriges  Belonging  to  the 
tov/n  stock  as  soon  as  Conveniently  May  Be"  and  all 
persons  possessing  lead  or  bullets  were  desired  to 
bring  them  to  the  To\a'ii  Treasurer  who  was  directed 
to  purchase  them.  It  was  voted  also  that  "all  the 
Militia  and  Alarm  men  should  Bring  their  gnms  to 
the  town  treasurer  at  or  Before  the  fifteenth  Day  of 
this  instant  ]\Iay  in  order  that  their  Carteriges  May 
be  Made." 

The  scarcity  of  provisions  at  this  time  had  become 
a  serious  question.  Common  salt,  alone,  commanded 
six  dollars  per  bushel.  To  prevent  extortion  the 
(General  Assembly  at  length  took  charge  of  this 
necessary  commodity,  and  sold  it  to  the  various 
towns  at  six  shillings  per  bushel.  Warren's  pro- 
portion was  fifty  bushels,  and  on  July  1st  William 
Turner  Miller  was  appointed  to  divide  the  salt 
among  the  different  families  in  town.  It  was  voted 
that  all  persons  who  should  neglect  to  make  appli- 
cation for  salt  by  July  12th  should  be  refused  a 
share,  and  the  Town  Clerk  was  directed  to  "Set  up 
three  advertisements  in  three  Publick  Places  in  the 
Towm  to  Notify  the  inhabitants  of  the  promises." 

The  population  of  Warren  at  this  time  (1776) 
was  1,005  including  slaves.  The  town  was  required 
by  law  to  furnish  ten  men  for  military  service,  but 
in  September  it  was  voted  to  increase  the  number  to 


IN   THE    WAR   OF   THE   REVOLUTION.  II 

twelve.  Ten.  sliil lings  were  allowed  to  every  sol- 
dier found  able  to  "Equip  himself  With  a  Gun, 
Bavonet,  and  Cartuch  Box,"  and  ten  shillings  in  ad- 
dition to  each  man  for  the  "Use  of  a  Blanket  and 
Kapsack."  In  October  the  Deputies  were  requested 
to  tender  the  Test  Act  to  all  male  citizens,  and  the 
Town  Clerk  was  directed  to  "make  record  of  the 
number  of  Guns,  Cartuch  Boxes,  Blankets,  and 
Xapsacks  Belonging  to  the  to^\^l."  William  Tur- 
ner Miller  was  authorized  to  make  a  second  distri- 
bution of  salt,  it  being  stipulated,  however,  that  "No 
Person  Be  allowed  to  Receive  Salt  that  Kefused  to 
Subscribe  the  Test  Act." 

The  appearance,  on  December  2d,  of  seven 
ships  of  the  line  and  four  frigates  in  the  vicinity  of 
Block  Island  caused  widespread  consteniation 
throughout  Rhode  Island.  The  militia  was  at  once 
called  to  arms.  On  December  8th,  the  enemy  landed 
at  ]S[ewport  and  took  possession  of  the  town. 
American  troojDS  were  despatched  to  Tiverton, 
Bristol,  and  other  points  on  the  coast.  Many  in- 
habitants of  ]S^e^vport  took  refuge  on  the  main  land. 
The  court  records  of  Newport  County  were  hastily 
transported  to  Warren,  but  the  exposed  situation  of 
the  town  caused  the  Assembly  to  order  the  Clerk  of 
the  Court  to  remove  them  "to  some  safer  place 
further  distant  from  Rhode  Island." 

At  a  later  date  a  guard  of  sixteen  men  was  sta- 


12         THE    HISTORY   OF    WARRKN,    RHODE    ISLAND, 

tinned  at  Warren,  and  the  row-gallej  Washington 
was  sent  to  protect  the  entrances  to  Warren  and 
Kickemuit  rivers.  On  the  2d  of  April,  1777,  an 
explosion  occurred  on  board  the  galley  by  which 
eight  lives  were  destroyed.  The  vessel  was,  how- 
ever, afterward  repaired,  schooner  rigged,  and  put 
in  service  again.  The  bodies  of  the  unfortunate  vic- 
tims of  this  accident  were  buriod  on  the  west  shore 
of  Kickemuit  river  near  the  "narrows"  of  the 
stream,  not  far  from  the  scene  of  the  disaster. 

The  Artillery  company,  which  had  previously 
beK?n  supplied  with  two  field  pieces,  was  furnished 
with  drums,  colors,  and  an  ammunition  cart.  Re- 
cruiting was  briskly  carried  on  in  the  toAvn  and  there 
was  scarcely  a  household  that  had  not  one  or  more 
members  engaged  in  military  service.  It  must  not 
be  imagined  that  while  the  men  of  Warren  devoted 
themselves  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  the  women  dis- 
played a  less  patriotic  spirit.  Though  debarred  from 
carrying  muskets  their  hands  were  not  idle,  as  the 
number  of  stout  woolen  stockings  and  other  articles 
of  clothing  furnished  by  them  to  the  troops  amply 
testified. 

Provisions  still  continued  scarce,  while  the  in- 
crease of  current  expenses  rendered  necessary  a  pro- 
portionate increase  of  taxes.  The  poll  tax  which 
had  been  fixed  at  6s.  5d.  was  raised  to  12  shillings. 
A  number  of  flat-bottomed  boats  for  use  of  the  state 


IN   THE    WAR   OF   THE   REVOLUTION.  1 3 

were  this  year  constructed  at  the  shijn-ard  of  Crom- 
well Child.  These  boats  were  destined  to  play  an 
important  part  in  the  history  of  Warren.  The  cap- 
ture of  the  British  General  Prescott  by  Lieut.  Col. 
William  Barton  in  July,  raised  the  hopes  of  Rhode 
Islanders,  Warren  being  especially  gratified  at  this 
brilliant  achievement  of  one  of  her  sons.  An  ex- 
pedition under  Gen.  Spencer  against  Rhode  Island 
was  planned  and,  in  October,  a  number  of  boats,  in- 
cluding those  built  at  Warren,  were  collected  at 
Tiverton.  Unfavorable  "SA-ieather,  however,  delayed 
the  execution  of  the  scheme  which  was  finally  aban- 
doned. 

With  the  opening  of  another  year  (1778)  a  new 
danger  confronted  Warren.  Small-pox,  that  scourge 
of  the  olden  times,  made  its  appearance.  On  Janu- 
ary 3d,  it  Avas  voted  that  innoculation  for  the  disease 
"be  set  up  Within  the  Town,"  and  Col.  Xathan  Mil- 
ler was  appointed  "to  Prepare  an  Innoculatory  Hos- 
pital under  the  direction  of  the  Council."  The  site 
selected  for  this  hospital  was  a  point  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  Kickemuit  river  a  few  rods  north  of  the 
present  pumping  station.  It  was  also  voted  to  fine 
any  person  receiving  one  ill  of  small-pox  into  his 
house  the  sum  of  £50. 

It  being  deemed  expedient  to  attempt  a  second 
expedition  against  Rhode  Island  the  flat-bottomed 
boats  before  alluded  to,  about  seventy  in  number, 


14        THE    HISTORY   OF    WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND, 

wore  brought  up  tlic  Kickeiniiit  river  and  moored 
near  the  stone  bridge,  to  which  point  a  quantity  of 
tar  and  other  stores  was  transported.  Great  secrecy 
was  preserved  in  regard  to  their  plans  by  the  Ameri- 
cans. But,  unfortunately,  there  lurked  within  their 
midst  an  enemy  in  disguise.  The  school  master  of 
Warren  was  an  Englishman  named  Holland.  De- 
spite his  nationality,  he  professed  allegiance  to  the 
patriot  cause,  and  was  generally  believed  to  be  sin- 
cere in  his  professions.  He  discovered  the  designs 
of  the  Americans  and  found  means  to  communicate 
his  knowledge  to  Gen.  Pigot,  the  commander  of  the 
British  forces  on  Rhode  Island,  who  at  once  deter- 
mined to  frustrate  the  schemes  of  his  opponents. 

On  Monday,  the  25th  of  May,  a  party  of  British 
and  Hessians  troops  numbering  about  500,  under 
command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Campbell,  were  despatched 
by  boat  from  Newport  to  Bristol  where  they  arrived 
before  daybreak,  and  landing  near  Peck's  Rocks 
marched  up  Bristol  Neck  towards  Warren.  On 
reaching  the  Gorham  farm,  they  paused  and  raised 
a  sheet  from  the  chimney  of  the  farm  house  as  a 
signal  to  their  shipping  in  the  bay  that  all  was  well. 
They  then  resumed  their  line  of  march  and  entered 
Warren,  rousing  the  terrified  inhabitants  with  their 
loud  huzzas  for  King  George.  At  the  centre  of  the 
town  Campbell  divided  his  forces  into  parties-  One 
detachment  was  sent  to  guard  Kelley's  ferry  in  the 


IN   THE    WAR   OF   THE    REVOLUTION.  I5 

north  part,  while  a  second  hastened  to  the  foot  of 
King,  now  Washington  street,  where  was  another 
ferrv  known  as  Carr's  ferry.*  The  greater  portion 
of  the  troops  were,  however,  hurried  through  Mar- 
ket street  to  Kickemuit,  where  they  piled  the  unfor- 
tunate flat-bottomed  boats  together  and  burned  them 
with  the  row-galley  Washington,  and  a  quantity  of 
tar,  pitch,  and  other  stores.  They  then  set  fire  to 
two  dwelling  houses  and  a  grist  mill  near  the  lower 
bridge.  Tradition  relates  that  the  terrified  miller 
when  he  saw  his  property  about  to  be  destroyed  cried 
out,  "Spare  the  mill,  brothers!"  "Brothers,"  re- 
peated one  of  the  soldiers,  "Do  you  call  us  that?  If 
we  are  your  brothers  we  shall  do  you  a  favor  by  tak- 
ing you  out  of  this  nest  of  rebels,"  and  he  beckoned 
to  his  companions  who  immediately  made  the  poor 
miller  their  prisoner.  In  the  attic  of  the  Phinney 
farm  house  near  the  bridge  a  number  of  arms  were 
concealed.  The  redcoats  visited  this  house  but  fail- 
ed to  discover  the  hidden  muskets.  A  party  of  sol- 
diers approached  the  inuoculatory  hospital.  Its  in- 
mates, three  in  number,  rushed  to  the  windows  and 
throwing  them  open  shouted  frantically,  "Don't 
come  here.  We  are  sick  with  small-pox !"  The  soldiers 
at  once  hastily  retreated.  But  their  disappearance 
failed  to  reassure  the  panic  stricken  invalids.  Terri- 

♦Seeing  the  red-coats  at  this  ferry  a  man  on  the  opposite 
shore  of  Harrington  shouted  wildly  for  "quarter,"  greatly  to 
the  amusement  of  the  soldiers. 


1 6        THE   HISTORY   OF    WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND^ 

fied  lest  a  second  detachment  of  redcoats  less  afraid 
of  disease  should  appear,  they  nished  from  the 
house  down  the  road  crying,  "The  Regulars  have 
come  I  The  Regulars  have  come!"  At  the  stone 
bridge  they  turned  up  the  School  House  Road,  thence 
into  the  Birch  Sv^amp  Road,  still  uttering  their 
warning  cry.  One  of  the  good  housewives  of  the 
neighborhood  who  was  engaged  in  preparing  break- 
fast heard  the  shouts.  She  looked  from  the  window, 
and  recognizing  the  men  grasped  the  situation. 
Seizing  the  coffee-pot  in  one  hand  and  a  large  bowl 
in  the  other,  she  opened  the  kitchen  door  and  com- 
manding the  men  to  halt  inquired  where  they  were 
going.  "To  Swansea  to  give  the  alarm,"  they  re- 
plied. "Well,"  she  answered,  "you  don't  go  a  step 
farther  until  you  have  drank  some  coffee,"  and  de- 
spite the  expostulations  of  her  family  she  compelled 
the  not  unwilling  travellers  to  each  swallow  a  bowl- 
ful of  the  smoking  beverage.  She  then  resumed  her 
domestic  labors,  while  the  refreshed  pilgrims  con- 
tinued on  to  Swansea  where  their  appearance  creat- 
ed as  much  consternation  as  the  Regulars  themselves 
would  have  occasioned.  Finding  no  place  of  refuge 
offered  them,  the  weary  sick  men  were  forced  to  re- 
turn to  Warren  and  re-enter  the  hospital.  Strangely, 
their  long  journey  was  productive  of  no  ill  results 
cither  to  them  or  any  of  the  various  persons  with 
whom  they  came  in  contact  during  it. 


IN  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  17 

While  the  capture  of  the  miller  was  being  effected 
at  the  bridge,  a  scene  of  quite  an  opposite  nature 
transpired  in  another  part  of  Kickemuit.  A  trio 
of  soldiers  crossed  some  fields  and  approached  the 
farm  of  Mr.  Ephraim  Cole.  The  sun  was  now  high 
in  the  heavens,  and  Mr.  Cole  was  hoeing  in  his  corn- 
field. Himself  unperceived,  he  espied  the  advan- 
cing redcoats.  I^Tot  seeing  any  way  of  escape  he 
quietly  dropped  behind  a  stone  wall,  hoe  in  hand. 
The  soldiers  reached  the  wall  and  were  about  to 
clamber  over  it  Avhen,  suddenly,  Mr.  Cole  sprang 
erect  and  brandishing  the  hoe  in  their  faces  ex- 
claimed in  a  voice  of  thunder,  "Come  on,  my  brave 
boys,  and  we'll  have  every  lobster  '"f  'em!"  The 
astonished  "lobsters,"  thinking  a  large  party  of 
Americans  concealed  behind  the  walls,  turned  in  con- 
fusion and  ran  in  different  directions,  Mr.  Cole  pursu- 
ing: them  shoutinor,  "March  to  the  east'ard!  Head  'em 
off  to  the  west'ard !"  Not  daring  to  glance  behind 
them  the  soldiers  continued  their  flight.  Two  of 
them  escaped,  but  Mr.  Cole  overtook  the  third  and, 
as  he  afterwards  drily  remarked,  "surrounded  him 
and  took  him  prisoner." 

Having  completed  the  main  object  of  the  expedi- 
tion, the  destruction  of  the  boats.  Col.  Campbell 
marched  his  men  back  to  the  compact  part  of  the 
town  where  terror  and  confusion  reigned  supreme. 
The  citizens  endeavored  to  protect  their  property, 


18 


THE   HISTORY  OF   WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND. 


but  the  overwhelming  number  of  the  enemy  rendered 
their  efforts  futile.  Many  households  were  with- 
out male  protectors  as  a  large  portion  of  the  able- 
bodied  men  of  the  town  were  engaged  elsewhere  in 
military  service.  The  Baptist  meeting-house  and 
parsonage  and  other  buildings  were  burned  to  the 
ground,  the  powder  magazine  was  blown  up,  and  the 
privateer  "General  Stark,"  which  stood  ready  for 
launching  in  one  of  the  shipyards,  was  partially  de- 
stroyed. Cattle  and  poultry  were  killed,  stores  and 
houses  pillaged,  and  women  and  children  terrified. 
The  appearance  of  the  marauders  is  described  by 
Fessenden  in  his  historical  sketch  of  Warren.  The 
British  were  attired  in  red  coats,  cocked  hats,  and 
small  clothes,  with  shoe  and  knee  buckles  and  a  pro- 
fusion of  gold  lace.  The  Hessians  wore  huge  fur 
caps  and  great  boots,  and  the  latter  they  utilized  as 
receptacles  for  booty  of  every  description.  These 
German  mercenaries  rendered  themselves  particu- 
larly obnoxious  to  the  to"wnspeople.  A  party  of 
them  who  had  been  wounded  in  a  skirmish  with  some 
citizens  visited  the  Burr  Tavern  on  Main  street. 
Mrs.  Burr,  the  landlady,  kindly  dressed  their 
wounds  and  they  displayed  their  gratitude  to  her  by 
destroying  her  dishes  and  furniture.  At  another 
house  they  fired  several  shots  at  the  women  and 
children  whom  they  found  assembled  there.  Five 
burly  giants  effected  an  entrance  at  the  residence  of 


IN  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  19 

Jesse  Baker  on  what  is  now  Water  street  bj  dashing 
in  the  windows.  Mrs.  Baker  was  alone  in  the  house 
at  the  time.  Thev  compelled  her  to  mount  a  chair 
and  from  the  upper  shelves  of  the  china  closet  to 
pass  to  them  such  articles  as  thej  desired,  Xatural- 
Iv  as  thej  addressed  her  in  German  she  did  not  un- 
derstand their  orders  very  readily,  but  she  trem- 
blingly handed  to  them  dish  after  dish  each  of  which 
they  dashed  to  the  ground  with  oaths  and  laughter. 
In  the  midst  of  their  sport  an  English  officer  sudden- 
ly made  his  appearance.  At  a  glance  he  compre- 
hended the  situation  and  raising  a  silver  handled 
riding-whip,  which  Mrs.  Baker  recognized  as  the 
property  of  Col.  N'athan  Miller,  he  struck  the  ring- 
leader of  the  party  across  the  cheek  cutting  the  flesh 
open.  He  then  sternly  ordered  him  and  his  com- 
panions to  leave  tlie  house,  and  after  they  had  dis- 
appeared courteously  assisted  the  half  fainting 
woman  to  alight  from  the  chair,  assuring  her  that  he 
would  protect  her  from  further  molestation — a 
promise  he  faithfully  performed.  ^o  other  in- 
stance of  forbearance  on  the  part  of  the  assailants  is 
recorded,  the  officers,  generally,  rather  encouraging 
than  restraining  their  men  in  the  work  of  devasta- 
tion. Some  of  the  soldiers  even  went  so  far  as  to 
tear  the  brass  rings  from  the  fingers  of  the  negro  ser- 
vants. The  guard  posted  at  Kelley's  ferry  intercept- 
ed a  respectable  Irishman  who  was  endeavoring  to  es- 


20         THE  HISTORY  OF  WARREN,  RHODE  ISLAND. 

cape  from  the  town.  They  turned  him  around  on  his 
horse,  set  his  wig  and  hat  awry,  and  putting  the  muz- 
zle of  a  gun  to  his  cheek  compelled  him  to  swear  alle- 
giance to  King  George  which  he  did  with  a  very  ill 
grace.  Mr.  Peter  Cole,  a  prominent  citizen,  eluded 
capture  by  a  clever  ruse.  Seizing  a  large  butcher's 
knife,  he  rushed  from  his  house  along  Main  street 
brandishing  his  blade  and  crying,  "I  am  Peter  Cole 
and  I  don't  care  for  a  d — d  soul!"  The  British 
soldiers,  supposing  him  deranged,  permitted  him  to 
pass  through  their  midst  unmolested.  Other  of  the 
the  townspeople  were  less  fortunate  and  a  number  of 
prisoners  w^ere  secured,  among  them  Sylvester  Child 
and  his  son-in-law  Rev.  Charles  Thompson,  a  chap- 
lain in  the  Continental  service  who  was  then  at 
home  on  a  furlough.  The  family  of  Col.  Nathan 
Miller  escaped  by  boat  to  Barrington,  carrying  with 
them  valuable  state  papers  which  Campbell  had 
hoped  to  secure.  One  of  the  British  soldiers  fired  a 
shot  at  the  boat  which  whistled  close  to  the  head  of 
the  Colonel's  young  daughter.  The  Miller  resi- 
dence was  ransacked,  the  soldiers  expressing  great 
regret  that  they  had  not  captured  the  "fellow  with 
the  big  boots"  as  they  nicknamed  Col.  Miller.* 
They  quenched  their  disappointment  in  a  barrel  of 
cider  which  they  discovered  in  the  cellar,  first,  how- 

*Col.  Miller  weighed  upwards  of  300  pounds.    His  boots 
held  a  bushel  of  corn  each. 


IN  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  21 

ever,  compelling  a  young  slave  girl  whom  they  found 
hidden  in  the  house  to  taste  it  as  an  assurance  that 
it  contained  no  poison. 

As  the  morning  sun  rose  high,  Col.  Campbell, 
fearing  the  Americans  would  rally  from  the  neigh- 
boring to^vns  prepared  to  retreat,  and  the  straggling 
squads  of  soldiers  were  called  together  on  Main  street. 
One  detachment  passing  the  home  of  the  Tory 
schoolmaster  cheered  loudly,  whereupon  Holland 
emerged  from  the  door  and  joined  them.*  Camp- 
bell placed  his  prisoners  and  their  guards  in  the  van. 
Behind  them  marched  the  Hessians,  presenting  an 
exceedingly  grotesque  appearance  with  articles  of 
every  description  peeping  and  dangling  from  the 
wide  tops  of  their  huge  boots.  The  English  com- 
panies followed  with  Campbell  himself  at  the  rear  of 
the  procession.  As  the  retreating  column  filed  slow- 
ly along  Main  street,  a  party  of  ladies  who  were 
watching  it  from  the  windows  of  what  is  now  the 
Fessenden  Hotel  espied,  lagging  far  behind  his  com- 
rades, a  diminutive  individual  encumbered  with  a 
large  drum,  and  very  much  the  worse  for  the  numer- 
ous drams  of  West  India  rum  with  which  he  had  re- 
galed himself.  The  ladies  determined  to  make  him 
their  prisoner.  One  of  them  placing  herself  at  the 
head  of  the  party  snatched  a  brass  candlestick  from 


*The   house   occupied   by    Holland    is   still    standing   on 
Church  Street,  just  east  of  the  Methodist  Church. 


22  THE   HISTORY    OF    WARREN,    RHODE   ISLAND, 

a  table  near  by,  and,  followed  by  her  companions,  ran 
into  the  street.  Pointing  the  candlestick  at  her  vic- 
tim, she  commanded  him  to  halt.  Pale  with  terror 
the  little  man  staggered  back  exclaiming,  "Don't 
fire,  ladies!  Don't  fire!  I  surrender."  The  ladies 
surrounded  him  and  triumphantly  conducted  him 
into  the  house  where  they  locked  him  securely  in  a 
closet.  He  expressed  great  pleasure  at  being  cap- 
tured, saying  that  he  was  exhausted  with  the  weight 
of  his  heavy  drum. 

Despite  the  precautions  of  the  enemy  messengers 
had  early  been  despatched  to  Barrington,  Providence, 
and  other  points  to  secure  aid,  and  as  Campbell  be- 
gan the  march  towards  Bristol  a  portion  of  Capt. 
Yial  Allen's  company  which  had  been  stationed  at 
Rumstick  Point  entered  Warren.  They  were,  how- 
ever, too  few  in  number  to  render  assistance. 
Shortly  afterward  Gen.  William  Barton,  with  a  party 
of  mounted  troops  in  advance  of  a  large  body  of  in- 
fantry under  Gen.  Sullivan,  appeared  and  hastened 
in  pursuit  of  the  foe,  collecting  a  number  of  volun- 
teers along  the  route.  Mrs.  Williams,  in  her  bio- 
graphy of  Barton,  states  that  as  the  doughty  General 
galloped  along  he  hailed  Col.  Campbell,  daring  him 
to  single  combat.  "Come  back  you  d — d  coward," 
he  shouted  in  thunder  tones.     "I  am  the  man  who 

to(Jv  Prescott,  and  by if  you  will  just  step  out 

of  y.,^vr  lurking  place  I'll  hack  you  to  pieces  in  less 


IN   THE   WAR   OF    THK   REVOLUTION.  23 

time  than  it  took  to  take  him."  Bart-ou  overtook  the 
British  near  Bristol  Ferry  where  he  received  a 
severe  wound  in  the  leg  from  a  musket  ball.  This 
accident  and  the  insufficiency  of  his  force  induced 
him  to  abandon  the  pursuit.  After  repeating  in 
Bristol  the  scenes  enacted  in  Warren,  the  enemy  re- 
embarked  in  their  ship  and  set  sail  for  Newport, 
barely  in  time  to  escape  attack  from  Sullivan  who  ar- 
rived at  Bristol  shortly  afterwards. 

The  disastrous  effect  of  this  raid  upon  Warren 
cannot  be  adequately  portrayed.  Yet  with  praise- 
worthy courage  and  energy  the  citizens  immediately 
resumed  their  labors  in  the  cause  of  liberty.  On 
June  1st  it  was  voted  to  levy  a  tax  of  £900  for  the 
to"\Am's  use.  The  fortifications  at  Burr's  Hills  were 
strengthened  and  a  watch  stationed  there  during  the 
day  as  well  as  at  night,  the  town  being  further  pro- 
tected by  a  guard  boat  placed  at  the  entrance  to  the 
river  by  order  of  Congress.  The  privateer  ''Gener- 
al Stark"  was  repaired  and  towards  the  last  of  June 
started  on  her  first  cruise.  Gen.  Sullivan  had  be- 
gun negotiations  for  release  of  the  prisoners  cap- 
tured at  Warren  and  Bristol.  Many  of  these  were 
men  too  advanced  in  years  to  bear  arms,  who  were 
treated  with  unnecessary  harshness  by  their  captors. 
Pigot  signified  his  willingness  to  exchange  them  on 
the  usual  terms,  but  stated  that  if  the  exchange  was 
not  effected  at  once  the  prisoners  would  be  removed 


24         THE   HISTORY   OF  WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND, 

to  New  York.  After  a  sharp  correspondence  the  ex- 
change of  several  was  arranged,  and  three  or  four  were 
released  on  parole.  Among  the  citizens  of  Warren 
who  were  transferred  to  the  Jersey  prison  ship  were 
Hev.  Charles  Thompson,  (^aleb  Turner,  and  James 
Maxwell.  The  privations  endured  by  those  confined 
upon  this  foul  and  overcrowded  vessel  were  of  the 
most  severe  nature.  Rev.  Mr.  Thompson  after  being 
detained  in  captivity  for  several  weeks  was  given 
his  freedom,  but  was  never  able  to  discover  to  whom 
he  owed  his  release. 

The  arrival  of  the  French  fleet  in  American  waters 
early  in  July  caused  intense  joy  throughout  the 
country.  Immediately,  however,  the  enemy  began 
to  send  reinforcements  from  N^ew  York  to  Rhode 
Island.  On  July  15th,  300  troops  were  landed  at 
jSTewport.  The  Council  of  War  fearing  an  attack 
on  Providence  called  out  half  the  military  force  of 
the  state  to  serve  for  twenty  days,  ordering  the  re- 
maining half  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  for 
action  at  a  moment's  notice.  On  the  29th  D'Es- 
taing's  fleet  appeared  in  the  bay  and  blockaded  New- 
port. On  August  9th  Sullivan,  with  about  10,000 
troops,  crossed  from  Tiverton  to  Portsmouth.  On 
the  21st  D'Estaing  withdrew  hif  ships.  bu1  Sullivai 
continued  his  preparations  while  awaiting  the  re- 
turn of  the  fleet.  On  the  29th  the  Battle  of  Rhode 
Island,  which  Lafayette  pronounced  "the  best  fought 


IN  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  25 

action  of  the  war,"  took  place.  To  this  ''Rho<lc  Isl- 
and Expedition,"  as  it  was  termed,  Warren  contri- 
buted its  full  qnota  of  men.  One  company  in  Col. 
Miller's  regiment  was  commanded  by  Captain  Rob- 
ert Carr,  a  native  of  the  town  and  a  most  zealous 
patriot.  Warren  Mason,  a  negro  belonging  to 
John  Mason  of  Warren,  was  one  of  the  slaves  who  ob- 
tained freedom  by  enlisting  in  the  "black  regiment," 
which  under  the  leadership  of  Col.  Christopher 
Greene  distingiiished  itself  by  three  times  repelling 
the  furious  attacks  of  the  Hessian  columns  with  the 
most  desperate  courage  and  determination. 

On  Aug-ust  31st  the  care  of  the  troops  on  the  eas- 
tern shore  of  ]^arragansett  Bay  was  entinisted  by 
Gen.  Sullivan  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  who  es- 
tablished his  headquarters  at  Bristol.  Toward  the 
latter  part  of  SeiDteinber  he  removed  them  to  Warren 
where  a  portion  of  Varnum's  brigade  was  stationed. 
Col.  Israel  ^Ingell's  regiment  encamped  in  the  fields 
on  the  eastern  slope  of  Windmill  Hill  in  the  norther- 
ly part  of  the  town  near  the  Kickemuit  river.  A 
little  more  than  half  a  century  ago  a  post  driven  into 
the  ground  indicated  the  spot  where  Lafayette's 
marquee  stood,  just  southeast  of  the  ledge  of  rocks 
on  the  summit  of  the  hill.  On  the  farm  of  !Mr. 
Henry  Clark  on  the  east  side  of  Belcher's  Cove  are 
still  to  be  seen  the  remains  of  earth  works  which  it  is 
said  were  thro^^^l  up  under  the  supervision  of  the 


26  THE  HISTORY  OF  WARREN,  RHODE  ISLAND. 

marquis.  The  gallant  French  officer  was  very  popu- 
lar with  the  townspeople,  his  frank  and  engaging 
manner  winning  all  hearts.  Tradition  states  that 
he  was  extremely  partial  to  the  old-fashioned  "Rhode 
Island  johnny-cakes"  baked  on  a  board  at  the  hos- 
telry of  Ebenezer  Cole,  famous  throughout  the 
colonies  for  its  good  cheer ;  and  that  he  and  an  Ameri- 
can officer  once  engaged  in  a  "johnny-cake  match," 
which  he  easily  won,  outstripping  or  rather  out  eat- 
ing his  competitor  by  two  or  three  cakes  of  more 
than  ordinary  size.  Lafayette's  stay  in  Warren  was  of 
short  duration,  the  middle  of  October  finding  him  in 
Philadelphia.  , 

Though  the  enemy  maintained  great  watchfulness, 
the  privateers  belonging  to  the  seaboard  towns  man- 
aged to  elude  all  vigilance  and  to  constantly  cross 
and  recross  the  bay.  In  September  the  "General 
Stark"  returned  to  Ehode  Island,  having  captured 
two  prizes,  one  a  brig  laden  with  cotton-wool  and 
red-wood,  the  other  a  ship  from  Halifax  bound  for 
Jamaica  and  carrying  a  cargo  of  fish  and  spars. 
About  the  same  time  the  schooner  "Weasel,"  Mau- 
ran,  master,  another  privateer  sent  out  from  Warren, 
succeeded  in  taking  a  brig  of  140  tons  which  sailed 
from  New  York  with  wood  and  provisions  for  the 
king's  troops  at  Newport.  , 

The  winter  of  1778-9  was  a  severe  one.  The 
camp  at  Windmill  Hill  was  abandoned  and  the  troops 


IN  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  27 

"were  quartered  in  stores  on  the  wharves  and  in  pri- 
vate dwellings.  On  Christmas  Eve  the  Warren  river 
was  complet«ly  frozen  over,  and  Col.  Angell  excused 
his  men  from  the  usual  drill.  A  violent  storm 
raged  on  the  26th,  the  baracks  being  filled  with  snow 
and  huge  drifts  blocking  the  roads.  On  New  Year's 
Day,  Warren  received  the  melancholy  tidings  of  the 
wreck  of  the  "General  Stark."  Xineteen  members 
of  the  ill-fated  vessel  perished  bj  freezing.  The 
extremely  cold  weather  and  the  scarcity  and  high 
price  of  provisions  caused  great  suffering  among  the 
poor.  The  inhabitants  of  the  to^vn  nimibered  at 
this  period  789,  together  with  fourteen  refugees 
from  the  county  of  Newport,  some  of  whom  were  en- 
tirely dependent  upon  charity  for  support.  The 
to"\vn  treasury  was  nearly  depleted,  and  in  March  it 
became  necessary  to  hire  the  sum  of  $1,500  for  the 
purchase  of  grain  from  Connecticut  for  the  town's 
use. 

On  March  11th,  Daniel  Cole,  Joseph  Smith,  and 
William  Barton  were  appointed  a  committee  to  as- 
certain what  persons  had  performed  more  than  their 
proportion  of  military  duty  in  the  two  expeditions 
against  Rhode  Island,  and  to  allow  such  persons 
whatever  sums  of  money  they  might  deem  were  just- 
ly due  them.  In  April  the  militia  of  the  several 
counties  were,  by  order  of  the  Assembly,  formed  into 
brigades.  Col.  Nathan  Miller  being  elected  brigadier 


28  THE  HISTORY  OF   WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND. 

of  the  counties  of  Newport  and  Bristol.  As  the 
enemy  greatly  outnumbered  the  American  forces, 
and  continued  to  make  incursions  upon  the  seaboard 
towns,  it  was  deemed  prudent  to  increase  the  guard 
at  Warren,  and  August  4th  Shubael  Kinnicutt  and 
l^athan  Bardin  were  empowered  to  enlist  twenty- 
six  men  to  serve  for  twenty  days.  £300  was  appro- 
priated to  pay  the  guard,  and  Moses  Turner  was  di- 
rected to  "draught  a  petition  to  Gen.  Gates  for  Ra- 
tions for  Sd.  Guard."  This  guard  was  stationed  at 
points  along  the  shore  where  it  was  feared  the  Brit- 
ish might  attempt  to  make  a  landing.  Fortunately 
Warren  was  destined  to  escape  a  repetition  of  the 
misfortunes  which  had  befallen  her  the  previous 
year.  The  South  having  become  the  seat  of  war  it 
became  necessary  for  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  centralize 
his  forces  there,  and  on  October  25th,  to  the  unbound- 
ed joy  of  the  suffering  inhabitants  of  Rhode  Island, 
the  enemy  evacuated  l^ewport. 

As  winter  approached  the  weather  became  extreme- 
ly cold.  Again  was  Warren  river  frozen  completely 
over,  and  communication  with  Barrington  was  main- 
tained by  crossing  the  ice  on  foot  or  in  ox  teams. 
Fire-wood  was  very  scarce,  commanding  twenty  dol- 
lars per  cord,  and  so  insufficient  was  the  supply  of 
food  that  a  famine  seemed  imminent.  But  it  was  not, 
alone,  temporal  privations  that  the  people  of  Warren 
were  forced  to  endure.     There  were  spiritual  hard- 


IN  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  29 

ships  also.  The  clestniction  of  their  meeting-house 
had  compelled  the  Society  of  Baptists  to  unite,  tem- 
porarily, with  the  neighboring  church  of  Swansea. 
The  severity  of  the  weather  and  condition  of  the 
country  roads,  however,  prevented  the  regular  atten- 
dance of  church.  But  all  trials  of  what  nature  so- 
ever were  borne  cheerfully,  indeed,  in  many  in- 
stances, heroic  fortitude  was  displayed. 

Early  in  the  summer  of  1780  active  military 
operations  were  begun  in  anticipation  of  the  arrival 
of  the  French  fleet  in  Ehode  Island.  Washington 
asked  for  additional  troops  to  co-operate  with  the 
allies,  and  a  militia  force  was  called  out  to  serve 
for  three  mouths.  Recruiting  officers  were  appoint- 
ed for  each  town,  those  chosen  for  Warren  being  Na- 
than Miller,  Sylvester  Child,  Daniel  Cole,  Robert 
Carr,  and  William  Barton.  On  July  2d,  the  to^vTi 
voted  that  Nathan  Bardin  and  Edward  Mason  ''be 
added  to  the  Committe  for  Enlisting  Soldiers,"  and 
on  the  same  day  it  was  ordered  that  "a.  Propper  Per- 
son be  appointed  at  the  Expense  of  the  Town  to 
Carry  Such  Winter  Clothing  as  the  friends  and  Con- 
nections of  Such  Soldiers  as  May  enter  into  the  Con- 
tinental Service  at  the  Present  Campaign  may  pro- 
vide for  them."  De  Corny,  the  French  Commis- 
sary General,  having  requested  the  General  Assem- 
bly to  repair  the  ferries  between  Providence  and 
Newport,  a    committee    consisting    of    Hon.    Wm. 


30  THE   HISTORY  OF  WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND. 

Bradford,  Gen.  Miller  and  Col.  Joseph  Xightinp;ale 
was  appointed  by  the  Assembly  to  confer  with  him 
were  appointed  by  the  Assembly  to  confer  with  him 
regarding  "the  accommodation  of  the  expected  arma- 
ment," and  Ephraim  Bowen,  the  Deputy  Quarter- 
master General,  was  empowered  to  draw  £10,000 
from  the  state  treasury  for  the  purpose  of  making 
the  necessary  repairs  at  Providence,  Warren,  and 
Bristol.  On  July  10th,  De  Terney,  with  a  fleet  of 
twelve  ships  of  war  and  thirty-two  transports  and 
six  thousand  troops  under  Count  Rochambeau,  ar- 
rived at  ISTewport  where,  on  the  following  day,  the 
troops  were  landed.  In  August  a  dinner  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  state  was  given  in  honor  of  the  allies. 
Gen.  Miller  was  a  member  of  the  entertainment  com- 
mittee. He  was  popular  with  the  French  officers 
owing  to  the  fact  that  a  strain  of  Huguenot  blood  ran 
through  his  veins.  A  warm  friendship  sprang  up 
between  him  and  Count  Rochambeau  with  whom  he 
exchanged  rapiers.  The  Rochambeau  weapon  is 
now  owned  by  a  descendant  of  General  Miller. 

The  work  of  raising  the  British  vessels  sunk  in  the 
harbor  of  N^ewport  had  begun  in  June.  Cromwell 
Child  purchased  a  j^ortion  of  this  wreckage  which 
was  transported  on  scows  to  Warren.  Tradition 
states  that  Ebenezer  Cole  built  a  barn  of  some  of  the 
timbers,  which  was  for  many  years  a  landmark  in 
the  town,  and  wliich  the  owner  was  very  fond  of 
pointing  out  to  the  guests  who  frequented  his  hos- 
telry. 


IN  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  3 1 

On  August  5th,  the  to\m  of  Warren  appointed 
Ezra  Ormsbee  to  furnish  the  militia  with  camp  fur- 
niture. He  was  directed  to  purchase  "21  Mess  Pots, 
21  Pails,  21  Mess  Boles,  5  Xarrow  Axes,  3  Baggage 
Carts  and  give  his  Receipt  for  the  articles  in  Behalf 
of  the  Town."  At  the  same  time  it  was  voted  to 
raise  $10,000  as  a  town  tax. 

In  October  a  detachment  of  French  troops  was 
quartered  in  Warren  and  remained  there  during  the 
winter.  These  troops  occupied  during  a  portion  of 
their  stay  the  old  camping  place  at  Windmill  Hill. 
They  are  said  to  have  been  admirably  disciplined,  and 
were  very  friendly  with  the  neighboring  farmers, 
whose  waves  supplied  them  with  brown  bread  for 
which  they  displayed  as  great  partiality  as  Lafayette 
evinced  for  Landlord  Cole's  Rhode  Island  johnny- 
cakes. 

In  February,  1781,  the  Assembly,  in  expectation 
of  the  withdrawal  of  the  French  troops,  called  out 
twelve  hundred  militia  to  serve  for  one  month  under 
Brigadier  General  Miller.  On  March  6th,  Gen. 
Washington  arrived  at  Newport  for  the  purpose  of 
arranging  with  Rochambeau  for  the  coming  cam- 
paign. On  the  10th  the  French  fleet  sailed  and  all 
but  three  hundred  of  the  Rhode  Island  militia  were 
dismissed.  On  the  13th  Washington  proceeded  to 
Providence,  passing  through  Bristol  and  Warren  en 
route.     In  Warren  he  was  entertained  at  the  expense 


32  THE  HISTORY  OF  WARREN,  RHODE  ISLAND. 

of  the  state  at  the  famous  hostelry  of  Shiibael  Burr, 
which,  like  its  rival  Cole's  Tavejrn,  was  noted 
throughout  'New:  England.  Burr's  Tavern  was  lo- 
cated at  the  corner  of  Main  and  King  (afterwards 
Washington)  streets.  The  room  assigned  to  Wash- 
ington was  a  rather  small  apartment,  but  considered 
at  the  time  a  very  elegant  guest  chamber.  Burr's 
tavern,  after  standing  for  more  than  a  century,  was  a 
few  years  since  torn  do^vn. 

On  March  22d,  the  town  voted  to  purchase  3-4  cwt. 
of  sugar,  1-4  cwt.  of  coffee,  and  a  bushel  of  rye  meal 
for  the  "Soldiers  Doing  Duty  on  Khode  Island  that 
Went  from  the  Town ;"  John  Child  was  directed 
to  procure  these  articles.  The  depreciation  of  con- 
tinental currency  caused  the  town  to  vote  in  June 
"that  the  Town  Treasurer  Keceive  no  more  old  Con- 
tinental Money  into  the  Treasury  for  Taxes  Due 
from  the  Collector."  The  privateer  sloop  "George" 
of  Warren,  Thomas  Champlin,  master,  was  this 
month  captured  off  Sandy  Hook  by  Arbuthnot's 
fleet.  In  July  Gen.  Miller,  wearied  with  his  un- 
ceasing labors,  tendered  his  resignation  to  the  As- 
sembly, but  at  the  earnest  request  of  that  body  with- 
drew; it.  In  August  he  was  appointed  to  proceed  to 
New  York  in  "the  flag-of-truce  Nancy,"  for  the  pur- 
pose of  arranging  for  the  exchange  of  citizens  of 
Khode  Island  held  prisoners  by  the  enemy.  His 
mission  proved  successful  and,  at  a  later  date,  the 


IN    THE    WAR   OF   THE    REVOLUTION.  33 

released  prisoners  returned  in  a    "flag"    to    Rhode 
Island. 

In  August  the  schooner  "Hunter"  of  Warren  sail- 
ed for  Virginia  with  provisions  and  hospital  stores 
for  the  American  troops.  In  a  letter  addressed  to 
his  wife  from  "Off  Jamestown  in  James  River,"  and 
dated  September  19,  1781,  the  captain,  William  Tur- 
ner Miller,  predicted  the  fall  of  Cornwallis  which  oc- 
curred on  the  17th  of  the  following  mouth.  The 
tidings  of  the  victory  at  Yorktown  caused  the  most 
intense  joy  throughout  Rhode  Island.  By  the  dis- 
play of  flags,  the  ringing  of  bells,  and  the  firing  of 
cannon  the  people  demonstrated  their  satisfaction. 
Several  prisoners  of  war  *  were  tranported  from 
Yorktown  to  Rhode  Island  by  the  sloop  "Abigail"  of 
Warren,  John  Hailc  master.  Thirteen  of  these 
prisoners  were  privates,  the  remainder  were  officers. 
Two  negro  servants  accompanied  the  latter. 

♦Among  papers  preserved  by    the    descendants   of   Capt. 
Haile  is  a  partial  list  of  these  prisoners  as  follows: 

"Capt.  Steward,  ~| 

Lt.  James  Campbell,  j 

Lt.  Donald  Campbell,  |  N.  C.  Loyalists. 

Ens'n  Dugald  Campbell,    | 

Ens'n  Donald  Campbell,  J 

Ens'n  O'Boyle.    |  ^    g  ^^^    g^^ 

Ens  n  Eald,  j 

Capt.  Althouse,  ^  N    Y    V 

Ens'n  Althouse,  {  .     .      ., 

Lieut.  Murphy,  South  C.  Corpse, 

Lieut.  Searjeant  Kings,  A  Reg't, 

Mr.  Ker,  Comis'y. 

Corn't  White,  B.  Legion. 
.    Mr.  Edwards,  Comis'y." 


34         THE   HISTORY    OF    WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND, 

The  Assenibl}^,  in  December,  directed  the  several 
towns  to  prepare  estimates  of  the  damage  inflicted 
in  each  by  the  enemy  during  the  war.  Warren's  loss 
by  the  incursion  of  British  troops  on  May  25,  1Y78, 
as  appraised  by  William  Turner  Miller,  amounted 
to  the  sum  of  £12,101 ;  17s. ;  3d. 

The  closing  year  of  the  war  was  a  comi)aratively 
eventless  one  as  regarded  Warren.  In  March,  C'apt. 
David  Barton  was  appointed  to  enlist  the  town's 
proportion  of  men  for  the  continental  army.  The 
same  month  John  Child  Avas  authorized  "to  purchase 
fifty-six  yards  of  tow-cloth  and  eight  pairs  of  stock- 
ings according  to  the  act  of  the  General  Assembly 
and  to  deliver  these  articles  to  their  use  at  East 
Greenwich."  In  October  Gen.  Miller  requested  the 
Assembly  to  furnish  him  with  a  "flag"  in  which  to 
proceed  to  New  York  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
the  release  of  certain  prisoners  confined  there.  He 
was  authorized  to  commission  a  vessel  under  Wm. 
Turner  Miller  for  the  purpose  specified. 

The  condition  of  Warren  at  the  end  of  the  war  was 
a  most  unhappy  one.  Business  was  almost  entirely 
prostrated,  and  many  families  were  impoverished. 
The  toAvn  treasury  was  nearly  depleted.  The  loss  of 
shipping  amounted  to  1,090  tons.  Household  after 
household  mourned  the  loss  of  dearly  beloved  mem- 
bers. Many  a  man  who  had  gone  forth  to  do  ser- 
vice for  his  country  in  the  full    glory    of    vigorous 


THE    HISTORY    OF    WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND,  35 

manhood  had  returned  the  mere  shadow  of  liis  forine,r 
self.  Yoimg  wonieii  had  grown  prematurely  old 
under  the  too  heavy  burdens  of  anxiety,  privation, 
and  grief.  The  farms  were  neglected,  the  streets 
ovcrgrowai  with  grass,  the  ship-yards  were  deserted, 
the  docks  empty.  But  with  the  same  courage  and 
determination  that  had  distinguished  them  in  the 
darkest  hours  of  adversity,  the  people  instantly  set 
about  the  bettering  of  their  condition.  The  build- 
ing of  vessels  was  resumed,  the  farms  were  tilled, 
shops  were  re-opened,  a  new  church  built,  and  in  less 
than  a  decade  after  the  signing  of  the  treaty  of  peace 
at  Paris,  Warren  was  once  more  a  busy  and  prosper- 
ous maritime  town. 


APPENDIX. 


(From  original,  Fessenden  Msfi.) 


Roll  of  C'apt.  Ezra  Ormsbee's  Company  of  Militia 
in  the  Town  of  Warren,  1776. 

Sargant,  Amos  Haile, 

"        Thomas  Easterbrooks, 
''        Curtis  Cole, 
"        Gardner  Mason, 

Corporal,   William  Child, 
"  Jacob  Sanders, 

"         Oliver  Salisbury,   Jr., 
"         Ichabod  Cole, 

Drummer, 

Fifer, 

James  Child, 

*Cromwell  Child, 

Samuel  Miller, 

*William  Salisbury, 

*Daniel  Richards, 

*Joseph  Kelley, 


38  THE    HISTORY    OF   WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND, 


Edward  Eddy, 
*Jonatban  Salisbury, 
Jeremiah  Child, 
*  James  Salisbury, 
Isaac  Gorham, 
Jesse  Baker, 
Georg  Cogashell, 
William  Lewis, 
Joseph  Smith, 
Pel  eg  Easterb rooks, 
Caleb  Eddy, 
Haile  Child, 
John  Harding, 
Joseph  Kelley, 
Daniel  Kelley, 
Jonathan  Bliss, 
Barnaby  Luther, 
^Nathan  Bowen, 
William  Haile, 
Caleb  Turner, 
Jeremiah  Comstock, 
John  Bo  wen,  2nd., 
Stephen  Bowen,  Jr., 
William  Hoar, 
Samuel  Wheaton,  2nd., 
Samuel  Mason, 
Haile  Barton, 
David  Barton, 


Thomas  Barden, 
Richard  Barton, 
*Samuel  Hicks, 
Hozckiali  Buterworth, 
Gideon  Luther, 
Elisha  Finney, 
Richard  Haile,   Jr., 
Isaiah  Cole, 
*Frederick  Luther, 
James  Mason, 
ISTathan  Haile, 
John  O'Kelley, 
Edward  Mason, 
Joseph  Mason, 
Joshua   Whiting, 
Whitfield  Whiting, 
Mini  Luther, 
Job  Salisbury, 
Perez  Wheaton, 
William  Hill, 
Amariah  Cole, 
William  Wheaton, 
John  Bowen, 
Edward   Kinnicutt, 
Sam'l  D.  Wolf, 
Caleb  Miller, 
Job  Miller, 
Rufus  Chase, 


IN    THE    WAR    OP    the;    REVOI.UTION. 


39 


Level  Maxwell, 
**Ebenezcr  Boswovth, 
James  Boweii, 
Ellicksaiider  Mason, 
Joseph  McMilon, 
William   Luther, 
William  Arnold,  Jr., 
Stephen  Hicks, 
** Samson  Sims, 
Caleb  Salisbury, 
Joseph  Barton,  Jr., 
Daniel  Easterbrooks, 
James  Cole, 
Jonathan  Carr, 
Barnard  Ilaile, 
Edward  Cole, 
Gideon  Cole, 
Samuel  Hicks,  2nd., 


John  Haile, 

Benjamin     Easterbrooks, 

2nd.. 
Warring  Easterbrooks, 
William  Miller, 
James  Maxwell, 
Edward  Easterbrooks, 
Jeremiah  Joles, 
Barnard  Salisbury, 
William  Salisbury, 
John  Cowin, 
John  Sisson,  Jr., 
John  Cole, 
Jonathan  Towgood, 
Daniel  Cole,  Jr., 
Barnard  Hale,  Jun'r, 
i\rarmaduke  Mason, 
Martin   Easterbrooks. 


Roll  of  Captain  Caleb  Carr's  Company,  Col.  Wm. 
Richmond's  Regiment,  Oct.  10,  177G. 
Caleb  Carr,  Captain,  Thomas  Pearse, 

Samuel    Stevens,    lieuten-  Consider  Tripp, 

ant,  N^athaniel  Humphrey, 

Samuel  Hicks,  Ensign,      Samuel  Bosworth, 

*In  the  original  muster-roll  a  line  is  drawn  through  these 
names. 

**Ebenezer  Bosworth  and  Samson  Sims  were  members  of 
the  crew  of  the  privateer  "Warren,"  which  was  captured  !)y 
the  enemy  Dec.  29,  1777.  They  were  committed  to  Mill 
Prison,  Plymouth,  Eng.,  June,  1778. 


40  THE    HISTORY   OF    WARREN,    RHODE    ISEAND, 


George  Ox, 
Joseph  Gladding, 
Gideon  Hathaway, 
John  Easterbrooks, 
Daniel  Wardwell, 
Constant  Chnrch, 
Walter  Durfee, 
David  Luther, 
Caleb  Miller, 
Esex  Jones, 
John  Norris, 
Amos  Luther, 
Philip  Carr, 
David  Maxfield, 
Wheaton  Turner, 
James  Pike, 
Daniel  Maxfield, 
Samuel  Martin, 
J^athaniel  Wilson, 
Elisha  Hathaway, 


Joseph  Shana, 

John  Pearse, 

Hail  Child, 

James  Bushee, 

Thomas  Peck, 

Gideon  Bead, 

Joseph  Turner, 

Wm.  Read, 

Wilson  Low, 

John  E.  Cedrup, 

Gideon  Cole, 

ISTathaniel  Humphrey,  2d. 

Nathaniel  West, 

John  Sunday, 

Samuel  Wheaton, 

Hicks  West, 

Levi  Cole, 

Asa  West, 

Joseph  Hathaway, 

John  More. 


{From  original,  Carr  M.ss.) 
A  True  List  of  all  the  Soldiers  in  the  Towti  of 
Warren  both  in  the  Alarm  and  Militia  who  were 
Drafted  the  28th  day  of  Sep't'm.,  A.  D.  1777.  To 
Serve  one  Month  from  the  First  day  of  October  En- 
suing the  date  above  in  my  Company  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  Hon'l.  Major  General  Spencer,  viz. : 


IN    THE    WAR   OP   THE   REVOLUTION. 


41 


Men's  Names  Drafted. 


Their  Substitntes. 


Where  Snbs.  Belongred. 


Martin  Luther 

Jeremiah  Jolles 

Bristol 

Sylvester  Child 

Joshua  Turner 

Palmer's  River 

Benjamin  Cole 

William  Meeker 

Rehobolh 

John  Mason 

John  Woodmansee 

Swanzey 

Benjamin  Diman 

Ebenezer  Blanding 

Palmer's  River 

Shuael  Burr 

Samuel  Yiall 

Barrin^'ton 

Barnard  Miller 

Job  Miller 

Warren 

Daniel  Cole 

Esquire  Pearse 

Rehoboth 

James  Miller 



James  Child,  2d 

John  Child,  2d 

James  Brown 

Barring'tou 

Shubael  Kinnicutt 

Daniel  Bullock 

Rehoboth 

Marmaduke  Mason 

Joseph  Mason 

Warren 

William  Barton 

Christopher  Bowen 

Palmer's  River 

Benjamin  Barton 

Grindall  Chase 

Swansea 

Edward  Gardner 

Joseph  Thayer 

Mendon 

Warren  Militia  who  were  added  to  my  Company: 


Men's  Names  Drafted. 


Their  Substitutes. 


Where  Subs,  belongred. 


Ichabod  Cole 
Edward  Mason 
James  Child 

James  Bowen 

Warren 

Gardner  Mason 

Rufus  Chase 

Swansea 

William  Lewis 

Joseph  Allen 

Barrinpton 

Ben j.  Cole,  2d 



Edward  Eddy 

Peter  McMillioii 

Warren 

Jesse  Baker 

Elisha  Mason 

Palmer's  River 

James  Maxwell 

Nathaniel  Cole 

Swansea 

Nathan  Haile 

George  Brig-gs 

Newton 

James  Short 

Nath'l  B.  Whitting- 

Peter  Richards 

Newport 

John  Child,  2d 

Joseph  McMillion 

Warren 

Richard  Barton 

Ephriam  Cole 

Swanzev 

Richard  Haile,  Jr. 





Elisha  Finnev 

Henry  Peck 

Rehoboth 

Thomas  Burden 

Thomas  Stevens 

Newport 

Bennajah  Cole* 



Johnathan  Sissont 





Cromwell  Child,  2d 

James  Chase 

Swanzey 

Samuel  Miller 





Samuel  Burr 

John  Bowen 

Warren 

Hezekiah  Butterworth 

Anthony  Thracher 

Rehoboth 

♦Entered  the  Eleventh  of  the  Month. 
t  Sick  Child,  Abner  Baker,  IS  day. 

N.  B. — All  those  with  a  Long  Stroke  did  their  own  Tower  of  Duty. 
Witness  Dan'l  Bradford,  Capt.  Alarm. 


42         THE   HISTORY   OF   WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND, 


{From  original,  Carr  Mss.) 

A  Muster  Roll  of  Capt.  Robart  Carr's  Company 
of  Col.  Nathan  Miller's  Reg't.  of  Militia  now.  in  Ser- 
vice of  the  United  States  Engaged  for  the  Term  of 
Twenty  Days  after  onr  arrival  at  Place  of  Rende- 
fuse.     Taken  to  August  1,  1778. 


Robart  Carr,  Captain, 
Joshua  Bicknel,  1st  Lieu- 
tenant, 
Benjamin  Bosworth,  2d, 

'No.  of  Sargants. 
Nathan  Bardeen, 
Thomas  Pearse, 
Luther  C'ole, 
Esek  Remington, 

No.  of  Corprols. 
John  Linsey, 

No.  of  Privates. 
Ephraim  Southard, 
Asel  Crossman, 
Ezra  Briggs, 
Sam'l  Pearce, 
Wm.  Arnold, 
Joseph  Munro, 
Ambros  Cole, 
Joseph  Oldridge, 
Nath'l  Philips, 


Joseph  Vial, 
Thomas  Swan, 
Joseph      Moran, 

ran?) 
Hezekiah  Hicks, 
Negro  Premous, 
John  C!hildes, 
Samuel  Bosworth, 
William  Greene, 
Steplien  Paine, 
Jeliobad  Carey, 
Sheapard  Pearce, 
Joseph   Emmerson, 
Sam'l  C-arpenter, 
Elijah  Shaw, 
Sam'l  Newman, 
Nath'l  Smith, 
Jeames  Hervey, 
Jacob  Sanders, 
John  Ingraham, 


(Man- 


IN    THE    WAR   OF   THE    REVOIvUTlON.  43 

Sam'l  Bowen,  Aaron  Knap, 

Joab  Rcedc,  Thomas  Tempten, 

Amos  Ilailc,  Joseph  Williams, 

Jeames  Goff,  Sam'l  Allen, 

Wm.  Munro,  3rd.,  Thomas  Snmner, 

Thomas  Gray,  Joslina  Ingreham, 

Bristol  Miller,  Panl  Mnmford. 


(Warren  men  who  Avere  members  of  the  Alarm 
Company  of  Bristol  County  in  1779  were:  John 
Mason,  Edward  Gardner,  Benjamin  Barton,  Daniel 
Cole,  Smith  Bowen,  Ebenezer  Luther,  James  ]\Iiller, 
Samuel  Pearse,  William  Arnold,  Ezra  Ormsl^ee, 
John  Kinnicutt,  Barnard  Miller,  Jacob  Sanders, 
Crumel  Child,  Caleb  Child,  Sylvester  Child,  Mar- 
tin Luther,  Samuel  Luther,  Moses  Turner,  Shubael 
Burr,  John  Child,  2d.,  Caleb  (^arr,  Samuel  Wise, 
2nd.,  James  Child,  2nd.,  Benjamin  Cranston,  Mar- 
maduke  Mason,  William  Barton,  John  Wheaton, 
Joseph  Eddy,  Wm.   Bliss.) 


{From  original,  Carr  Mss.) 

Captain  Robert  C^arr's  Comi)any  of  the  Senior 
Class  in  the  County  of  Bristol  in  Gen.  Miller's  Brig- 
ade, 1780. 

Men's  Names.  Benjamin  Bosworth,   >h\., 

Robert  Carr,  Capt.,  Ensign, 

Thomas  Allen,  Lieut.,         Luther  Cole,  Sergt., 


44  THE    HISTORY   OF    WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND, 


Shiibal  Kinnicutt,  Sergt., Moses  Turner, 
Thomas  Pearse,  Sergt.,     John  Child, 


Joseph  Vial, 
Privitts. 
Jonathan  Russell, 
Nathaniel  Waldron, 
Anthony  Vandoran, 
Jeromiali  Ingraham. 
Hezekiah  Monro w, 
Thomas  Swan, 
Samuel  Barker, 
Jeremiah  Finney, 
Amos  Haile, 
John  Howland,  Jr., 
Samuel  Wardwell, 
William  Wardwell, 
Stephen  Smith, 
Ephraim  Carey, 
William  Lawless, 
Arehabcl  Monro w, 
James  Miller, 
Jacob  Sanders, 
Caleb  Child, 


John  Haile, 
Parley  How, 
Benjamin  Cranston, 
Rufus  Barton, 
William  Barton, 
JSTathaniel  Heath, 
Henry  Bowen, 
Samuel  Allen, 
Josiah  Vial, 
Samuel  Bosworth, 
Matthew  Watson,  Jr., 
James  Brown, 
Matthew  Allin, 
Samuel  Kint, 
Moses  Tyler, 
Elkanah  Humphrey, 
Joseph  Smith, 
Consider  Tripp, 
Solamon  Townsend, 
Nathan  Bardeen, 
Samuel  Hix, 
Luther  Martin. 


Samuel  Luther, 

Fifteen  of  this  Company  belongs  to  Warren, 
Cole's  Company,  16  of  this  Company  belongs  to 
Bristol  Troop's  Company,  15  of  this  Company  be- 
longs to  Barrington  Viol  Allen's  Company.     Total 


46. 


IN    THE    WAR   OF   THE   REVOLUTION. 


45 


(From  original,  Fessenden  Mss.) 

A  List  of  Capt.  Curtis  Cole's  Company  in  Cur'nl 
Nathan  Miller's  Kegiment.     1781. 


Thomas         Easterbrooks, 

Leftenant, 
Ichabod  Cole,  Eiisine, 
Edwar  Mason,  Sarjant, 
David  Barton, 
Landon  Col, 
Barney  Luther, 
Jonathan  Easterbrooks, 
William  Luis, 
Benjamin  Cole,  2d., 
Edward  Cole, 
Crumil  Child,  2d., 
Caleb  Child,  Jr., 
John  Child,  2d., 
Nathel  B.  Whitin, 
William  O.  Bron,, 

(O'Brien,) 
Peter  Reynolds, 
Jeremiah  Comstock, 
Josier  Bowen, 
Seth  Snell, 
Jeames  Cole, 
Caleb  Turner, 
Jonathan  Blis, 


Samuel  Fish, 

Jesse  Baker, 

Simeon  Tugud,  (Too- 
good,) 

Samuel  Bur, 

John  BoAven,  2d., 

N^athan  Haile, 

Josif  Mason, 

Josif  McMilyon, 

William  Bowen, 

John  O.  Killey, 

Joabe  Millar, 

Barnot  Haile, 

Ellick  Sandas  Easter- 
brooks, 

Richard  Haill,  Jr., 

Caleb  Solberry,  (Salis- 
bury,) 

William  Luther, 

Jeames  Graves, 

Jeames  Goff, 

John  Haill, 

John  Cole, 

Jabez  Luther,  Jr., 


46  THE    HISTORY    OP    WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND, 


John  I).  Wolf, 
Hczckiah  Butcrwork, 
Seth  Cole, 
Elisher  Finey, 
Jeames  Shoart, 
Jeaines  Mason, 
John  T.  Child, 
Josif  Tngnd, 
Isack  Cole, 
Garner  Mason, 
George  Sisson,  Jr., 
John  Sisson  Jr., 
Thomas  Bnardin, 
Samuel  Mason, 
Nathan  Bowen, 
Josif  Killey, 
Daniel  Killey, 
Jonathan  Bowen,  Jr., 
Benjamin  Barton,  Jr., 
John  Thnrber, 
William  Hoar, 
John  Haill, 
Jonathan  Haile, 
Lavil  Maxwell, 
Thomas  Parse, 
Ebenczer  Cole,  Jr., 
Thomas  Cole, 
John  Whetin,  (Wheaton,) 
Abner  I^iither, 


I\lariin   Easterbrooks, 
Daniel  Easterbrooks, 
Abner  Butter, 
Charles  Collins, 
Gideon  Luther, 
Beniah  Cole, 
John  Killey, 
Samuel  BoAven, 
Jeames  Maxwel, 
Abrem  Butter, 
Holder  Mason, 
Josif  Eddy, 
John  Brown, 
Josif  Barton, 
Jonathan  Carr, 
Filip  Carr, 
Caleb  Miller, 
Samuel  Miller, 
Sylvester  Haile, 
John  Bowen, 
Caleb  Hill, 
Edward  Eddy, 
Caleb  Cranston, 
Jcrrimiah  Child, 
Jeames  Child, 
Barnot   Solberry, 
Joarge  N^eals, 
**N"iclis  Camil, 
Benjamin  Bowen. 


*Nicholas  Cambell  was  a  member    of    the    "Boston  Tea 
Party." 


IN    THIC    WAR   OF    THE   REVOLUTION.  47 


"VALUATION  LIST"  OF  WARREN,  R.  L  177S. 


168  Polls. 
14  slaves  from  10  to  50  years  of  age. 
57  Horses. 
345  Horn  Cattle  including  40  oxen. 
340  Sheep  and  Goats. 
7  chaises. 
5  Wharfs. 
147  Onnces  Plate. 
149  Hogs. 

2  Grist  mills,  one  each  wind  and  water. 
1  Distil  Honse. 

1  Tan  yard. 

3  Ship  yards. 

2700  acres  of  land  in  the  township. 
(176  acres  wood  and  waste.) 
4600  bushels  of  grain. 

127  Barrels  cider  made. 
Amount  total  of  debts  owed  $367. 
7  Acres  orcharding. 

314  Tons  English  hay  (cut.) 
Taxable  value  of  real  estate  and  personal  $126,000. 
Total  value    cash    and    trading   stock    $15,000    and 
$14,800,  all  other  personal. 


48  THE   HISTORY   OF   WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND, 

Eeal  estate  $90,200. 

Personal  $29,800. 

$126,000  total  as  above. 

2  slaves  owned  by  Sylvester  Child. 


2        " 

John  Child. 

2        " 

John  Mason. 

c,          a 

Martin  Luthor. 

2        " 

E'athan  Miller. 

T-l 

Cromwell  Child. 

1                     C( 

William  Lewis. 

1                    '' 

Robert  Carr. 

1                    " 

ISTathan  Whiting. 

1                    ^' 

John  Haile. 

1  Chaise  owned 

by  John  Child. 

1        '' 

James  Miller. 

1        ^' 

Wm.  Lewis. 

1        '* 

Martin  Luther. 

1        '^ 

Shubael  Burr. 

1        '' 

George  Coggeshall. 

1        " 

Nathan  Miller. 

1  Wharf  owned  by  Sylvester  Child. 

1        " 

« 

Martin  Luther. 

1        '^ 

a 

Cromwell  &  Caleb  Child. 

1        ^^ 

i( 

Nathan  Miller. 

1        ^' 

a 

Charles  Collins. 

207  D\\ 

celling  Houses  and  other  buildings. 

789  Inhabitants. 

IN    THE    WAR   OF   THE    REVOLUTION.  49 

SOUVENIRS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 

There  are  in  the  possession  of  the  Warren  Artil- 
lery Company  two  field-pieces  of  peculiar  historic  in- 
terest. These  guns  are  brass  six-poundcrs,  one  hav- 
ing engraved  upon  it  the  name  "Pallas,"  the  other 
''Tantae,"  while  both  bear  the  inscription  "Stras- 
bourg, 1762."  They  were  captured  from  the  Brit- 
ish at  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  Oct.  17,  1777,  and 
were  either  given  or  transferred  to  the  State  of 
Rhode  Island.  They  remained  in  the  custody  of 
the  United  Train  of  Artillery,  Providence,  from  17S1 
until  the  "Dorr  War,"  when  they  were  presented  to 
the  Warren  Artillery  in  recognition  of  the  services 
of  that  company  at  Federal  Hill,  May  18,  1842. 

SHIPPING  LOST  DURING  THE  REVOLU- 
TION. 

Beside  the  privateers  "General  Stark,"  and 
"George,"  the  following  vessels  belonging  to  War- 
ren   were    lost    during    the    Revolution.    Schooner 

"Roby,"  Kingsley,  100  tons,  brig Mason,  120 

tons,  sloop  "United  States,"  Coddington,  45  tons, 
schooner    "Weasel"     (privateer)     Pain,     15    tons, 

brig  ,  Mauran,  120  tons,    schooner    "Moses," 

Miller,  60  tons,  sloop  "Polly,"  Whiting,  45  tons, 
brig  "General  Wayne,"  Pearce,  120  tons,  sloop 
"Abigail,"  Miller,   45  tons,   schooner  "Swordfish," 


50        THE   HISTORY  OF   WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND, 

Collins,  120  tons,  sloop  "Rebecca,"  Champlin,  60 
tons,  and  schooner  "Hunter,"  Crawford,  60  tons. 

(From  original,  Fesenden  Mss.) 
An  account  of  the  Losses  sustained  by  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  Warren  by  an  Excurtion  of  the  Enemy  from 
Rhode  Island,  May  25,  1778. 

ACCOUNT  OF  PETER  REYITOLD'S  LOSS 
SUSTAINED  BY  THE  BRITISH  TROOPS 
25TH  OF  MAY,  1778. 

1   Blacksmith's  Vise— 5  gowns £8       2       0 

25  yds.  Toe  Cloth  whitened— 10  yds. 

Kersey    3     15       0 

9  yds.    Sagatha — 1    pair    Woman's 

Stays 2     11       0 

1  pair  Cloth  Shoes — one  Axe — Coife 

mill 1     10       0 

2  Silk  Cloaks— 1  Looking  Glass ...  3  3  0 
4  Table  Cloths— 6  Towels 2     11       0 

1  Doz.  Earthen  Plates  1  Large  Stone 

Platter 1  1  0 

Glasses,  Cups,  Saucers  and  Bowls.  .  .  0  12  0 

1-2  Doz.  Aprons — 6  pairs  Stockings .  3  12  0 
Shirts,   Shifts,  &c. — 3    pair    Pillow 

Cases    3  0  0 

2  Petticoats — 2  pewter    Plates  and 

Porringer 2       0       0 


31     17       0 


IN    THE    WAR   OF   THE   REVOLUTION.  5 1 

EBENEZER  BOSWORTH'S  LOSS. 

1  Suit  New  Broad  Cloth  Cloaths.  .  .        12       0  0 

2  Shirts — 1  Silver    Spoon     and    1-2 

Doz.   Tea  Ditto      2       2  0 

1  Pair  Silver  Buckles 0     18  0 


15       0       0 


JACOB  SANDERS'  LOSS. 

2  Bed  Blanketts— 1  Red  Broad  Cloth 

Long  Cloak   £5       8       0 

1  Chinee  Gown — 2  LaAvn  Aprons .  .  5       5       G 

1   Lawn  Handkerchiff — 1    Kenting 

Ditto    0     15       0 

1  Check'd  Handkerchiff— 1  Pr.  Silk 

Stockings 1       7       0 

1  Great  Coat— 1  Hollen  Shirt 2     18       0 

1  Gun— 1  Teapot— 1  pair  Sheets..  3       8       0 

Children's  GoAvns — 1  Curtain  2  Caps         0     18       6 

1  Towel — 2  pillow  cases 0       5       0 

Damage  done  his  house  by  Explosion 

of  the  Magazine 12       0       0 

1  yard  Gauze — 1    Pair    Buckles    2 

Handkerchiffs 1      14       0 

1  pair  Silk  Gloves  3   yds.   Ribbon — 

1  porringer    0       9       2 


34       8 


52        THE   HISTORY   OF  WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND, 

NATHANIEL  B.  WHITING'S  LOSS. 

50  Paper  Dollars— 1  Cutlass £4  7  0 

WILLIAM  T.  MILLER'S  LOSS. 

1  Gun  1  pair  Leather  Breeches ....        £3  0  0 

1  Dressed  Calf  Skin— 1  pair  Stays         0  18  0 

1  Table  Cloth— 2  Jacketts 0  7  0 

1  Sword— 1  ax 2  2' 

Tea  Cups  and  Saucers 0  3  0 

6  10  0 

RUFUS  WHITTAKER'S  LOSS 

as  Per  Bill £60  7  0 

DANIEL  COLE,  ESQ.'S,  LOSS. 

2  Pair  Shoes   £0  12  0 

1  Grind  stone    0  12  0 

2  Pair  Stockings   0  10  0 

2  Pillows 0  4  0 

6  Check'd  Handkerchiffs    0  8  0 

1  Pair  good  Deerskin  Breeches.  ...          1  16  0 

7  Pair  Stockings  good    1  10  0 

1  new  Linning  Sheet 0  10  0 

1  Pair  pillow  cases 0  4  0 

3  good  Shifts 1  16  0 

4  yds.  New  Linning  Cloth 0  8  0 

1  Stock  and  Buckle  Silver 0  12  0 

1   Lawn  Handkerchiff    0  3  0 


9     05       0 


IN   THE    WAR   OF   THE   REVOLUTION.  53 

REBEKAH  SHELDON'S  LOSS 

as  Per  Bill 9     15  6 

THE  BAPTIST  MEETING  HOUSE 

Valued  at G30       6  4^ 

THE  PAESOXAGE  HOUSE 

Valued  at 309       8  11^ 

EBENEZER  COLE,  ESQ.,  LOSS  BY  THE 
ENEMY. 

350  Paper  Dollars 26       5  0 

2  Hollen  Shirts— 1  Linning 2        2  0 

5  Silk  Handkerchiffs 1     10  0 

2   Linning  Ditto    0       4  0 

2  pair  Stockings 0     12  0 

1  Sword — 1  Cannister  &  Tea 1       1  0 

31     14  0 

BELONGING  TO  THE  TOWN. 

3  Muskets — 3  Cartoush  Boxes 4     10  0 

EBENEZER  COLE,  JUN'R,  LOSS 

as  per  Bill   5       4  0 

LEAH  HANDY'S  LOSS 3     12  0 

ELISHA  PHINNEY'S  LOSS  ...       85       6  0 

SAMUEL  LUHTER'S  LOSS....       14     11  0 

DEACON  BENJAMIN  COLE'S  LOSS 

as  per  bill 52     10  0 


54        THE   HISTORY   OF   WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND, 

MARTIN  LUTHER'S  LOSS. 

27  yards  Hollen    6  15  0 

1  Frock 0  16  0 

1   Shirt— 2  Handkerchiffs    0  15  0 

1   Silk  Gown    3  12  0 

1  Frock 0  9  0 

Damage  done  the  Desk   0  12  0 

1  Broad  Ax 0  15  0 

13  14  0 
BENAJAH  COLE'S  LOSS. 

1  Sheet  [N^ew   0  10  0 

JAMES  CHILD,  2D'S.,  LOSS. 

3  :N"ew  Sheets   £1  10  0 

WIDOW  ABIGAIL  HILL'S  LOSS. 

One  Silver  Table  Spoon 0  12  0 

1  Hollen  Apron— 1  Check'd  Ditto.  .          0  12  0 

1  pair  Gold  Sleeve  Buttons 0  14  0 

1  Hollen  Handkerchiff 0  4  0 

1  Check'd  Handkerchiff 0  3  0 

1   Black  Belong  Handkerchiff 0  6  0 

1   Feticoat — 1   porringer    0  6  6 

1  Cannester  &  Tea 0  4  6 

1  yard  Black  Ribbond    0  1  0 

1  Pair  Shears 0  2  0 


5       0 


0 

G 

0 

1 

10 

0 

0 

6 

0 

IN    THE    WAR   OF   THE   REVOLUTION.  55 

XATHANIEL  HILL'S  LOSS. 
I  pair  Cotton  Stockings 

6  Gallons  Rum   

1  Pair  Taylor's   Shears 

2  8       0 

Loss  sustained  by  IN^ATHAN  MILLER,  May  25, 
1778,  when  the  Enemy  made  an  Excursion  from 
!N"ewport  to  Burn  the  Boates  and  destroy  the  Maga- 
zeen. 

3-8  of  a  Privateer  125  Tuns  set  on  fire 

the  whole  loss  £900  the  3-8 £337  10       0 

1  Hogshead  W.  I.  Rum  in  the  Store 

adjoining  the    Magizeen 240  0       0 

1  Sword  and  Hanger 30  0       0 

3  small  Arms 10  16       0 

4  Silver  Tea  Spoons   1  16       0 

7  Shirts    25  0       0 

6  Pairs  Stockings   9  0       0 

1  Pair  Buck  Skin  Breeches 9  0       0 

1  Paire  Hollen  Sheets   3  0       0 

3  yards  &  1-2  ISTew  Linning  Hollen         4  4       0 
1  pair  Gold  Sleeve  Buttons  belonging 

to  Caleb   2  16       0 

1  Gold  Ring 1  12       0 

1  Pair  Paste  Buckles •  S  0       0 


56        THE   HISTORY  OF   WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND, 

1  Black  Ilandkerchiff— 2   Silk  and 

Cotton   Ditto    3  4  0 

3  Pair  Pillow  Cases   2  8  0 

701  G  0 

(^Consolidated  at  4  for  one 175  6  0 

SAMUEL  MILLER'S  LOSS. 

4  Hollen  Shirts   3  10  0 

4  Pairs  Silk  and  Worsted  Stockings         110  0 

5  8  0 

The    Mill    belonging    to    SMITH 
BOWEN  and  SAMUEL  PEARSE 

at  Kickemuit   £88  12  0 

SMITH  BOWEN'S  LOSS  OUT  OF  HIS  HOUSE. 

35  Skeins  yarn    £1  3  4 

1  Silver  Watch    6  0  0 

2  Axes    1  T  0 

2  Saws — 4  Chizzels 1  4  0 

2  Guns— 1  Sword 7  10  0 

9  Sheets 3  7  6 

7   Pillow  Cases    0  14  0 

3  fine  Shirts 1  16  0 

4  other  Shirts    1  16  0 

3  Shifts 1  16  0 


IN    THE    WAR   OF   THE    [REVOLUTION.  57 

2  Table  Cloths 0  IG       0 

4  Towels— 6  Ilaudkcrchiffs    1  1 G       0 

5  Aprons — 24  })air  Stockings 7  15       0 

3  Gowns   0  0       0 

2  Petticoats — 1  Jacket 2  5       0 

1  Pair  Buckles 0  15       0 

1  pair  Gloves — Children's  Clothing         2  0       0 

1  Looking  Glass — 2  Basons 0  IG       0 

2  plates — 2  porringers    0  G       0 

2  Quart  Pots — 1  punch  Bowie 0  18       0 

50  0     10 
CROMWELL  CHILD,  CALEB  CHILD  &  MOSES 

TURXER'S  LOSS 
as  apprised  by  Samuel  Pearse  &  Sliu- 
bel  Kinnicutt  on  the  24th  of  Dec, 

1778    £8450  18       6 

Lawful  Paper  Money  which  Consoli- 
date 6  and  1-2  for  one 1300  0       0 

ALLIX  COLE'S  LOSS 

as  per  Bill    18  4       0 

SYLVESTER  CHILD'S  LOSS 

as  per  Bill 100  1       0 

The  Damage  done  the  Other  Half 
of  the  GEX.  STARK,  PRIVA- 
TEER, not  Charged  in  any  bill  be- 
fore         112  10       0 


58          THE  HISTORY  OF  WARREN,  RHODE  ISLAND. 

JAMES  CHILD'S  LOSS. 

Two  Beds— 4  Blankets £10  10  0 

Four  pair  Sheets — Six  pe\^'te^  plates  3  7  0 
4   Pewter  Porringers — one   Copper 

Tea  Kittle 1  9  6 

4  Pillow  Cases — Two  pair  Leather 

Breeches 2  8  0 

1  Coat— 3  Jacketts   4  IG  0 

Shirts  3  Silk  Handkerchiffs 2  5  0 

2  Shifts— five  Children's  Shirts 2  17  0 

5  Children's  Gowns — 2  pair  Shoes.  2  5  0 

1  Frjdng  Pan — one  Warming  Pan .  .  18  0 

3  Pewter  Platters — one  Looking  Glass  0  18  0 
15  ponnds  Candles — Twenty  pounds 

Beef    0  17  0 

30  lbs.  Pork— three  lbs.  Sugar 0  17  3 

2  lbs.  Coffe — one  Barrel  Soap 1  0  5 

1-2  Bushel  Meal 0  1  6 

1  Silk  Cloak— five  yds.  silk 3  14  0 

6  yards  Hollon — thirty  skeins  yarn  2  16  0 

4  yards  Drab— 6  yds.  Toe  Cloth..  1  18  0 
1  Bonnet — Two  Pewter  Basons  ....  0  16  0 

1  Quart  Pot — 1  pint  ditto 0  9  0 

1  Milk  Kittle— one  Coffe  Pot 0  11  0 

1  Bowie — one  Earthen  Platter 0  8  0 

9  Earthen  Plates— one  Teapot 0  10  0 

15  Pe^vter  Spoons — 3  Earthen  Tea- 
pots     0  9  3 


IN  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  59 

1  Sett  Tea  Cups  &  Saucers •.  .  .          0  3  0 

6  Bowls  for  Coffc 0  4  G 

3  Case  Bottles — 18  Bound  ditto 0  11  3 

1  Case  Knives  and  forks 0  3  0 

Rasors — 1  yarn  Coverlid    1  7  0 

2  Lawn  Aprons — Baby's  Cloathes.  .  118  0 

50  19  8 

RICHABD  HAILE'S  LOSS 

as  pr.  Bill 9  17  0 

JAMES  BUSHEE'S  LOSS. 

54  Squares  Glass    1  17  G 

Other  Damage  to  the  House 3  0  0 

4  17  6 

JOHX  HARDOT'S  LOSS. 

1  Pair  Pillow  Cases 0  4  0 

1  Bed    3  15  0 

1  Calico  GowTi 3  0  0 

1  Pair  Stays   1  4  0 

1  Velvet  Jacket 2  0  0 

1  Teapot— half  Barrel  pork 3  8  0 

18  11  0 

BAR:N'ARD  SALISBURY'S  LOSS       95  16  0 

RUFUS  BARTOX'S  LOSS 9  9  G 

CALEB  CARR'S  LOSS   5  17  0 


6o        THE   HISTORY  OF   WARREN,   RHODE  ISLAND, 

EEV'D  CHAELES  THOMPSON'S  LOSS 

Saddle  and  curb  bridle  just  bought.  .  3  0  0 
Two  Bever  Hatts  one  wore  a  little,  the 

the  other  not  wore 4  0  0 

Two  new  Hollen  Shirts   and   seven 

new  Ilollen  stocks 3  10  0 

pair  of  new  lather  Boots  of  the  first 

rate 2  2  0 

Three  home  made  shirts  half  wore.  .  0  15  0 

four  pocket  handkerchiefs 2  8  0 

twelve  pair  stockens  all  wore  some. .  2  8  0 

One  flannel  gown    0  15  0 

two  home  made  shirts  wore  some.  .  0  12  0 

two  Check  Aprons 0  8  0 

One  lawn  henkerchief 0  5  0 

four  lawn  and  cambric  caps 0  9  0 

two  pairs  stockens    0  6  0 

pair  of  cloth  shews 0  5  0 

Childrens  cloaths  the  whole  I  judge 

at  the    lowest   computation    could 

not  be  less  than 3  0  0 

Baby  things  to  the  amount  of 1  10  1 

2  yds.  and  1-4  of  linning 0  11  0 

1  yd.  of  home  made  broad  cloth ....  0  6  0 

2  yds.  ticking 0  6  0 

five  pair  of  sheets  half  wore 5  0  0 

two  pair  of  pillow  caises 0  9  0 

two  table  cloaths  one  cersy  the  other 

Diaper 0  IS  0 


IN    THE    WAR   OF   THE   REVOIyUTlON,  6 1 

four  cersj  towels 0       8  0 

two  caises  of  knives  and  forks 0       8  0 

One  Dozen  of  Mettle  Spoons (»       i)  <) 

four  pewter  porringers   0       G  0 

one  Quart  Bason   0       4  G 

one  pewt-er  plait 0       1  6 

one  set  of  china 0  15  0 

fonr  small  Delpli  boals 0       4  0 

two  pairs  of  conmion  beaker  glasses .  0       3  0 

warming  pan    0  10  5 

large  frying  pan 0       4  0 

one  pair  brass  candlesticks 0       9  0 

one  large  Iron  Dish  Kittle 0  12  0 

Iron   tea  kittle    0        G  0 

two  Cedar  washing  tubs 0  15  0 

Milkpail  water  pail  and  canny  pail.  .  0  7  2 
One  Barrel  full  and  firken  half  full 

of  sope 1       4  0 

four  Cider  Barrels  almost  as  good  as 

as  new    0  12  0 

one  pounding  tub  with  IGO  weight 

of  beef 3     12  0 

one  pounding  tub  with  180  weight 

of  pork   6       0  0 

two  bushels  of  indien  and  one  of  ry 

meal    0       9  0 

flower  perhaps  no  more     than     14 

weight   0       6  0 


62        THE   HISTORY   OF   WARREN,   RHODE  ISLAND, 

Three  chiezes    about    eight    pounds 

each    0  IG  0 

Three  pounds  of  butter 0  3  0 

a  firken  with  six    pounds    of    hogs 

fat 0  6  0 

six  pounds  of  candles 0  6  0 

a  new  icder  firken  with  30  weight  of 

shuger 1  2  0 

Coffee  twelve  pounds 0  14  0 

fifty  weight  of  flax   2  0  0 

Eio'ht  pounds  of  wool 6  0  0 

pair  of  Cotton  Cards 0  5  0 

two  common  cheirs 0  6  G 

beadstead  and  whale  sinew  cord ....  1  4  0 

two  large  brown  stone  pots 0  3  0 

one  large  white  stone  pot  for  butter.  0  4  0 

one  Dozen  chunk  bottles 0  9  0 

Cloaths  brush,  harth  brush  and  flore 

brush 0  9  0 

Six  milk  pans  4  quarts  apeace ....  0  4  0 

two  ginn  gugs    0  1  0 

one  black  gug  held  3  quarts 0  1  2 

two  earthen  pots 0  1  6 

bread  trough  common  size 0  G  0 

paire  of  seal  skin  saddle  bags 0  18  0 

two  large  cloathes  baskets 0  6  0 

One  Iron  candlestick    and    pair    of 

snuffers 0  4  0 


IN   THE    WAR   OF   THE    REVOLUTION.  63 

1  cord  of  wood 1  0  0 

Snuffers <»  -t  0 

Barrel  of  sand    0  4  0 

Pair  of  steel  spurs 0  6  0 

four  flower  barrels    0  6  0 

67     14       3 

The  EEV'D  ERAS:\rUS  KELLEY 
lost  almost  all  his  furniture  which 

cannot  be  Estimated  at  less  than  £G0 

JOB  MILLER'S  LOSS 139       0       0 

CALEB   SALISBURY'S   LOSS..  12       0       0 

MARY  SIMS'  LOSS 11     10       0 

Total  Loss £12,101     17     03 

*  THE  "GENERAL  STARK." 
The  privateer  "General  Stark"  was  a  sloop  of 
about  130  tons  burden  and  mounted  14  guns.  She 
was  owned  by  Lebaron  Bradford,  Benjamin  Pearce, 
Samuel  Bro^\Tie,  Xathan  Miller,  and  Cromwell 
Child,  Her  officers  and  crew,  were  Benjamin 
Pearce,  Captain ;  Josiah  Church,  1st  Lieut. ;  Dan'l 
Scovil,  2d.  Lieut. ;  Chris.  Prince,  Master ;  Jno.  Bart- 
lett.  Surgeon;  Edmund  Tiley,  P.  Master;  Simon  De- 
Wolf,  P.  Master ;  Benjamin  Fry,  Officer  of  Marines, 
and  2nd.  M. ;  Geo.  Viall,  Boatswain ;  Jona  Carr,  Car- 
penter, Benj.  Cranston,  Sen'r,  Thos.  Tripp,  Master's 
Mate;  Peter  McMillen,  Jno.  Wilbur,  Nathan  San- 


64        THE   HISTORY   OF   WARREN,   RHODE   ISLAND^ 

ders,  Caleb  Ilill,  James  Allen,  Alexander  Mason, 
Wm.  DeWolf  (boy,)  Augustus  Sanders,  Warren 
Easterbrooks,  Preserved  Alger  (boy,)  James  Bowen, 
Thomas  Cole,  Wm.  Gorham,  John  Bowen,  Haile 
Child,  Lenox  Bullock,  Geo.  Shaw,  Pomp  Gardner, 
Cuff  Nixon,  Nelson  Miller,  Wm.  BroAvn,  Caleb  Mil- 
ler, Jos.  Rhodes,  Jared  Holmes,  Isaac  Babcock, 
Jun.,  David  Bro\^^l  (boy,)  Paul  Burdick,  Henry 
Champlin,  James  Hancox,  P.  Master;  James  W. 
Brayton,  Peleg  Hancox,  Gilbert  Thomas  (boy,)  Wil- 
liam Easterbrooks,  Joshua  Palmer,  P.  Master;  Wil- 
liam Sheffield,  Joshua  Gladding,  Andrew  Cheese- 
borough,  Josiah  Sanborn,  George  Welles,  Wm. 
Hammet,   Elisha  Tilton   (boy,)    Solomon  Daggett, 

Daggett,  Daniel  Babcock,  Collinjjs  York,  Jun., 

Gardner  Stanton,  Jos.  Brand,  Josiah  Wardwcll,  Ste- 
phen Andrews,  Preserved  Briggs,  Thomas  Finney, 
David  Latham,  Sylvester  Haile,  Lairs  Crandall, 
John  Burdick,  Robert  Fisto  (boy,)  Nathan  Brand, 
Prize  Master. 


LETTER  OF  WILLIAM  TURNER  MILLER. 

''Hunter  off  James  To^^1l  in  James  River 
Virginia,  September  19,  1781. 
*T3ear  Lydia — I  arrived  here  three  days  agoe  after 
being  15  days  at  Sea  and  the  Rest  of  the  time  which 
hath  Elapsed  since  the  25  of  august  in  the  Chessa- 


IN   THE   WAR   OF   THK    REVOLUTION.  65 

peek,  we  had  Some  i)retty  Ixough  Weather  at  Sea  but 
we  all  arrived  safe  but  Rufiis  Barton's  vessel  which 
parted  from  the  fleet  in  a  Gale  of  Wind  on  the  10th 
day  of  our  passage  as  near  as  I  can  Remember  and 
we  have  not  heard  from  him  Since  but  presume  they 
have  Returned  to  Rhode  Island,  there  is  now  Lying 
in  the  Harbor,  the  Hunter — the  Delight — the  Lydia 
— the  Molly  and  two  other  Small  Vessels  that  Sailed 
with  us  from  Rhode  Island.  Captain  James  Mar- 
tin's Vessell  is  at  Cape  Charles  about  100  miles  from 
hence  but  he  is  here  himself  all  the  people  are  in  good 
health  and  High  Spirits  belonging  to  the  fore  men- 
tioned Vessells.  I  unloaded  what  hospital  Stores  I 
had  on  board  yesterday  and  am  Lying  to  wj^it  for 
orders  where  to  Land  my  Provisions — and  it  is  Im- 
possible for  me  to  tell  when  that  will  be  as  the  Event 
of  a  battle  between  the  Two  Annies  may  decide  the 
matter  so  that  the  time  and  place  for  Landing  the 
provisions  be  better  known.  Lord  Cornwallis  Lies 
on  a  Xeck  of  Land  between  this  and  York  River 
with  about  6  Thousand  Troops  besides  Re- 
fugees and  Negroes  perhaps  to  the  amount  of 
3  Thousand  and  more  which  they  Say  are  so  badly 
Armed  and  Disciplined  as  can  Render  him  but  little 
Service.  Gen.  Roshambeau  and  the  Marquis  are 
Said  to  have  an  Army  of  about  20  Thousand  good 
Troops  and  I  think  from  all  Circimistances  that 
Cornwallis  must  fall  but  I  believe  he  will  fight  first 


66     THE    HISTORY    OF    WARREN,    RHODE    ISLAND, 

he  hath  a  Large  mnnber  of  Transports  in  York 
River  but  tlicy  will  not  avail  him  to  make  his  escape 
for  Count  DeGrass  and  Count  Barrass  with  their 
Combined  fleets  Lies  in  the  Chessapeek  in  both  fleets 
is  35  Sail  of  the  Line  besides  Frigates  and  they  have 
Sent  Ships  up  to  block  York  River  which  puts  an 
Effectual  Stop  to  the  British  by  water.  There  were 
a  few  days  agoe  27  Ships  of  the  British  Line  seen  just 
at  the  Mouth  of  the  Chessepeek  who  I  dare  say  wish 
to  come  in  with  Safety  but  the  French  appear  to  wish 
for  no  better  Sport  than  to  meet  them. 

The  French  Captured  Two  British  Frigates  who 
attempted  to  come  in  while  I  Lay  in  sight  of  them 
about  a  week  agoe.  I  hope  to  be  able  to  Load  my  ves- 
sell  with  Corn  home  on  my  own  account  as  Corn  here 
could  be  purchased  for  Six  Shillings  pr.  Barrell 
(which  is  five  Bushells)  my  hogshead  of  Rum  I 
have  sold  part  of  for  Two  Dollars  a  gallon  and  make 
no  doubt  I  shall  Dispose  of  the  Rest  as  well.  I  ex- 
pect Capt.  Stephen  Olney  on  board  to  Dine  with  me 
to-day  it  is  impossible  to  tell  you  when  to  Look  for 
me  home  I  wish  it  may  be  within  one  month  but  don't 
be  Impatient  if  it  be  Two.  I  am  my  dearest  your 
most  Effectionate  &  Loving  Husband, 

WILLIAM  T.  MILLER. 


IN    THE    WAR    OF   TIIIC    REVOLUTION.  67 

ANCIENT  LANDMARKS. 
The  Baptist  meeting-house  destroyed  by  the  Brit- 
ish troops  was  located  near  the  site  of  the  present 
stone  church  at  the  corner  of  ^Main  and  Miller 
streets.  It  was  a  plain  wooden  structure,  having  up- 
on the  roof  a  cupola  surmounted  by  a  vane.  With- 
in the  cupola  hung  a  bell,  beasring  the  date  17G4. 
This  bell  was  bought  in  England  and  paid  for  with 
tobacco,  and  was  generally  styled  the  ''tobacco  bell." 
In  this  meeting-house  was  held  the  first  commence- 
ment of  Rhode  Island  (.'ollege,  now  Bro\vn  Univer- 
sity, which  was  originally  situated  in  Warren. 
South  of  the  meeting-house  stood  the  parsonage  built 
by  subscription  in  1765  and  designed  for  the  Rev. 
James  Manning  then  pastor  of  the  church  and  his 
successors.  The  cost  of  the  parsonage  was  £4630 
"old  tenor." 

The  building  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Market 
streets,  now  occupied  by  the  Warren  Bank  was,  in 
1778,  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  town  and 
was  painted  a  peach-bloom  tint.  When  the  powder 
magazine  on  the  opposite  corner  blew  up  this  house 
was  considerably  damaged.  Among  other  houses 
still  standing  in  Warren  which  were  built  prior  to  the 
Revolution,  are  the  Gen.  Miller  house,  at  the  foot 
of  Miller  street.,  the  Baker  house,  corner  Water  and 
Baker  streets,  the  brick  house  at  the  corner  of  Water 
and  Church  streets,  the  Hail  house,  comer  Washing- 


68    THE    HISTORY   OF   WARREN,    RHODE   ISLAND, 

ton  and  Water  streets,  the  old  Onnsbee  house,  located 
on  the  west  side  of  Main  street  between  Broad  and 
Wheaton  streets,  and  the  Bowen  house  at  the  junc- 
tion of  Water  and  Main  streets.  Some  of  the  farm- 
houses in  the  east  part  of  the  town  are  probably  old- 
er than  the  houses  in  the  compact  portion.  Cole's 
Hotel  erected  in  17G2  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1893. 
This  building  was  one  of  the  most  interesting  land- 
marks of  Warren. 


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